Anti-Aging Tips for Your Eyes | Healthy Aging Month

Getting older is something to be celebrated. We can be proud of our accomplishments and wisdom and embrace our age and life experiences. As we’re looking middle age or our later years square in the face though, we may also be starting to see some of the telltale signs of aging, like under-eye circles, puffiness, and lines around our eyes.

Getting older and wiser doesn’t have to mean we have to show signs of aging. We all want to keep our eyes bright, youthful, and healthy looking. Fortunately, there are a number of things we can do to minimize the appearance of aging around our eyes. Let’s take a look at some below. 

1. Protect Your Eyes

Damage from UV rays from the sun can age our eyes by increasing lines and wrinkles. It’s not just our skin that may pay the price for too much sun exposure though; our vision can also be affected. For example, exposure to UV rays may increase our chances of developing cataracts.
 
Two important things you can do to keep your eyes youthful and protect your vision are wear sunglasses and wear a hat. When buying sunglasses, look for a pair that blocks 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. The American Academy of Ophthalmology also recommends wraparound and oversized styles, which provide coverage to a wider area of the eye. Hats with UV protection and a wide brim, in combination with quality sunglasses, will also provide great protection for your skin and eyes. Be sure to grab both the next time you head out the door during the day!

2. Show Your Eyes Some TLC

​Our eyes deserve some tender loving care. The skin around our eyes is delicate and becomes thinner with age. Avoid rubbing your eyes vigorously, as this can damage fragile skin. Also, be gentle with your eyes when washing your face and applying or removing makeup.
 
You can also show your eyes a little love by getting enough sleep each night, avoiding smoking, and exercising regularly. Giving them regular breaks from computer and phone screens doesn’t hurt either.
 

3. Combat Dryness

​Our chances of developing dry eyes or dry eye syndrome increases with age. As we age, our eyes can produce fewer tears, which we need to protect our eyes. Inflammation can also lead to dry eyes. In either case, dry eyes can be uncomfortable and cause redness, which can make us look tired.
 
The treatment for dry eyes may depend on the severity and cause. In some cases, over the counter eye drops may help. In other instances, prescription eye drops may be recommended. If you are concerned about dry eyes or have symptoms of dry eye syndrome, be sure to have a complete eye exam and speak with your ophthalmologist before starting treatment. Your ophthalmologist will be able to determine the cause of your dry eyes, prescribe the right treatment for your condition, and help you relieve your symptoms.
 

4. Fight Wrinkles

Whether you call them crow’s feet, wrinkles, or fine lines, most of us don’t want anything to do with them. As we age, wrinkles tend to form around the eyes for several reasons. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the inner layer of the skin thins. Plus, the loss of elasticity and repetitive muscle contractions from facial expressions also contribute to fine lines.
 
You may not be able to prevent every line from developing, but you might be able to reduce wrinkles around your eyes by avoiding smoking, wearing sunscreen, and avoiding squinting as much as possible. It’s also helpful to keep the skin hydrated. Hydrate your skin from the inside out by drinking lots of water. Eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids also helps reduce water loss in the cells.
 
Certainly there is no shortage of moisturizers and eye creams on the market claiming to decrease wrinkles. Moisturizers don’t penetrate the skin deeply enough to erase lines completely, but they may temporarily plump the skin and improve the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes. Be sure to ask your ophthalmologist about safe products to use around your eyes to prevent irritation.
 

5. Decrease Puffiness

​Puffiness and swelling under the eyes, sometimes called bags, become more common with age, as we can start to retain more fluid as we grow older. To decrease under eye puffiness, watch your salt intake, which may help you reduce fluid retention. It may also be helpful to sleep with your head slightly elevated to prevent fluid from accumulating.
 
You can also use a cool compress to ease puffiness. Some people like to use chilled cucumbers or tea bags. What you use is less important, provided it’s safe. It’s the cooling temperature that really makes a difference.
 

6. Reduce Under-Eye Circles 

Unfortunately, under-eye circles can add years to our appearance. Although they can occur at any age, they tend to become more common in middle age. As we grow older, our skin thins and loses elasticity. Thinning skin allows blood vessels to show, which increases discoloration.
 
Under eye circles can be made worse by lack of sleep and allergies. Be sure to get enough sleep and manage your allergy symptoms. Cosmetic procedures, such as fillers, may also be an option. If you are considering such a procedure, we recommend seeking out an experienced oculoplastic surgeon, an ophthalmologist or medical eye doctor who specializes in plastic surgery treatments and procedures around the eyes.
 

7. Maintain Proper Eyelid Hygiene

Most of us don’t give a whole lot of thought to our eyelids, but our eyelids serve an important function. They keep the cornea, the transparent front part of our eye, clean and nourished.
 
Maintaining proper eyelid hygiene is important for overall eye health and preventing eyelash loss. Dirt and debris accumulate on eyelids daily and can become embedded, if not cleaned properly. This can lead to potential eye problems, including infection. Talk to your ophthalmologist about products that may work best to keep your eyelids clean and healthy.  
 
By using the anti-aging tips above, we can minimize the appearance of aging and keep our eyes looking bright and youthful for our age. Of course, keeping our eyes healthy with age also includes protecting our vision, and that requires getting regular eye exams. Visit our Routine Eye Examinations for Adults to determine what eye exam schedule to follow. If you have any questions about your eyes, the skin around them, or your vision, or if you need to schedule an eye exam with one of our ophthalmologists, please call us at 508-746-8600 to schedule an appointment.
 
That concludes our posts for this Healthy Aging Month. We hope you enjoyed them and found some valuable information to keep your eyes healthy as you age. Next month, we’re looking at Home Eye Safety and Eye Injury Prevention, so be sure to join us!