How to Slow Down the Aging of Your Eyes
While aging is inevitable no matter what you do, there are several ways that you can slow the progression of aging, whether it’s your skin, muscle tone, or your internal organs. Today, I want to let you know a few secrets regarding how to slow down the aging of your eyes.
Keep Your Eyes Protected
The sun is the most relentless in damaging your skin over time, including the sensitive skin around your eyes. To minimize the sun’s effects on your eyes and to prevent premature aging, it’s best to keep them covered as often as possible—even in winter and on semi-cloudy days. Use sunscreen and choose sunglasses with large, dark frames that offer the highest UVA/UVB protection. A larger pair of shades will protect your eyes—and the skin around your eyes—and help you to stop squinting. Better yet, wear a hat, too, on the sunniest of days.
Remove Makeup and Grime
Going to bed with your makeup on or not cleaning your face soon after getting dirty allows dirt to build up in your pores. Clogged pores will dull your skin tone and encourage the accumulation of dead skin cells. So, when it comes to slowing down the aging of your eyes, keeping clean is important.
Stop Rubbing Your Eyes
If you’re tired or your eyes are itchy, you may be tempted to rub your eyes. However, the skin under your eyes is thin, and eye rubbing over time can cause the less supple skin under your eyes to sag prematurely. If you must touch the eye area, resist rubbing and just dab or press gently instead.
Moisturize Your Skin
Keeping your skin moisturized will help slow the appearance of both wrinkles and discoloration. When applying undereye cream (and makeup), the same concept of skin tugging applies here too. Avoid any back-and-forth or downward motions when using eye creams and makeup applicators. Instead, use a gentle upward motion or simply dab to avoid pulling at your skin.
BONUS TIP: Go makeup free! Think about it… makeup is made with a variety of chemicals that you are putting on your skin daily, which can only adversely affect your eyes.
Stay Hydrated and Eat Healthy Foods
On the list of things to do to slow down the aging of your eyes, what you eat is a big factor. A healthy diet containing vitamins A, C, and E can be beneficial to your eye health. Fish oils and organic eggs are also great for eye health, since they contain anti-inflammatory agents and reduce age-related cellular damage. Processed carbohydrates have also been proven to be a factor in aging, damaging your skin’s collagen levels and reducing elasticity.
Stay Proactive When It Comes to Eye Care
In addition to protecting the way your eyes look as you get older, you also need to pay close attention to your vision. Most often, once vision is lost, it cannot be regained—and this can seriously affect your quality of life—even causing total blindness. If you have any symptoms of changing vision, be sure to visit your optometrist as soon as possible. Problems caught early can lead to a quicker recovery.
In addition, be sure to schedule a regular visit to your optometrist. Don’t wait until something is wrong. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends that all adults should have a comprehensive eye exam before the age of 40—even if you are symptom free. After age 40, the following schedule is recommended:
Ages 40 ̶ 54: every 1 ̶ 4 years
Ages 55 ̶ 65: every 1 ̶ 3 years
Ages 65+: every 1 ̶ 2 years, or as recommended
Note that some adults may need more frequent eye exams due to diseases or conditions, such as diabetes, that can affect eyesight.
So, although you can’t stop aging entirely, you can certainly slow it’s progression by taking good care of yourself. Then you’ll be the youngest looking 90-year-old around!
Are you due for an eye exam or experiencing a change in vision?
Call Dr. Fruchtman TODAY to schedule a visit!
