Tips for Healthy Eyes that Look and Feel Younger

Most of us would like to keep our eyes looking and feeling younger. However, the stresses of life, environmental factors, and natural age-related changes can all take a toll on how your eyes feel and look.

Several things can contribute to changes in your eyes, vision, and the skin around your eyes. While you can't slow down time, you can take steps to help your eyes look and feel their best at every age. 
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Continue reading while we examine factors that impact your eyes as you age and what you can do to keep your eyes feeling and looking younger. 
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What factors age your eyes faster?

Various factors affect how fast your eyes age, including genetics and lifestyle. Although you cannot control your genetics, there are lifestyle changes you can make to promote healthy eyes. Lifestyle factors that affect how fast your eyes age include: 

• Smoking
• UV sunlight 
• Poor diet 
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure 

The more unhealthy lifestyle factors you have, the quicker your eyes may age. 
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Steps to promote youthful looking eyes

There are several things you can do to keep your eyes looking and feeling youthful. Consider the following suggestions:

Use UV protection. Exposure to UV rays can increase the development of lines, wrinkles, and age spots around the eyes. Too much sun exposure can also increase your risk of certain eye diseases. If you are going outside during the daylight, always wear sunglasses that provide 100% UVB and UVA protection and apply sunscreen to the skin around your eyes.

Soothe and pamper your eyes. Dark circles under the eyes and puffiness can make you look tired and older. Soothe and pamper your eyes by applying a cool compress for about 5 minutes daily. This can help decrease puffiness and redness. 

Eat a well-balanced eye-healthy diet. Healthy-looking eyes often start with good lifestyle choices, including eating an eye-healthy diet. Focus on foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids that help regulate the fluid in your body and your eyes. This includes flaxseed, walnuts, and salmon.  Add foods high in vitamin C, which helps promote healthy skin, including the delicate skin around your eyes. Examples are oranges, leafy greens, and strawberries. Foods that contain antioxidants, such as berries and green tea, are also helpful to combat inflammation that may contribute to aging eyes. 

Consider eye drops. Red eyes can make you look tired and have an aging effect. Eye drops are available that help clear up redness and make your eyes brighter. Before using eye drops, talk to your eye doctor and make sure they are appropriate for you. 

Change your look. Updating your look can do wonders and take years off your face. For example, if you wear glasses, consider switching to contacts. You can also switch to a new type of frame which will update your look. 

Get your beauty rest. Lack of sleep can contribute to tired looking eyes. While you sleep, your body heals, and cell renewal occurs. If you skip sleep, it can show up as dark shadows under your eyes or puffiness. Although it may vary, most adults need between seven and eight hours of sleep. 

Use good skin care. Good skin can reduce signs of aging around the eyes, such as lines and wrinkles. Use products that contain vitamin C that brighten the under-eye area. Also, choose products containing hyaluronic acid, which can help plump the skin.

Consider a cosmetic procedure. If you have significant sagging on your upper or lower eyelid, a blepharoplasty may help brighten your look. The procedure involves removing excess skin to help you look more awake and give your eyes a more youthful appearance. 

Get an eye exam. Although it may not affect how your eyes look, getting regular eye exams is one of the best things you can do to maintain healthy eyes and good vision. Some eye diseases do not cause symptoms in their early stages, but they can affect your vision. A comprehensive eye exam can help diagnose eye diseases in the earliest stages, leading to early treatment that may slow the progression and preserve vision. 

Remember, maintaining good eye health is the best way to keep your eyes looking young. Your best bet is a plan that includes regular exams, healthy lifestyle choices, and good skin care. If you have any questions about maintaining healthy eyes, we are happy to help. 

If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.