August is National Eye Exam Month. This is a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations for our overall health. This is particularly crucial for seniors whose vision can progressively decline with age, making day-to-day activities like reading increasingly more challenging. This article will delve into one common issue that seniors may face: eye strain while reading.
Learn as we explore why this happens, how to mitigate its effects, and the importance of using properly prescribed glasses.
Understanding Eye Strain
Eye strain is the discomfort felt in the eyes often attributed to their overuse or improper use. Seniors may experience symptoms like blurred vision, headaches, and dry or watery eyes. As people age, the lens of the eye becomes harder and less flexible. This can make it challenging to focus on nearby objects, such as the words on a page, thus leading to eye strain.
The Importance of Regular Eye Exams
Eye exams are not just for updating prescriptions. They play a pivotal role in identifying early signs of eye issues before they become major problems, including those that could lead to eye strain. Seniors should aim to have an eye exam at least once a year. Apart from checking the vision, these exams can detect other health issues like diabetes or hypertension, highlighting the interconnectivity between eye health and overall well-being.
The Right Prescription and Glasses
Having an up-to-date prescription is essential for seniors, as it can significantly improve their quality of life. It is not uncommon for seniors' vision prescriptions to change with time. Using the wrong prescription or type of glasses, such as using distance glasses for reading, can contribute to eye strain or other vision problems. Specialized reading glasses, for instance, can alleviate eye strain associated with close-up vision tasks, making reading more comfortable and enjoyable.
Tips to Prevent Eye Strain While Reading
Good practices while reading can prevent or minimize eye strain in seniors. Ensuring adequate lighting can significantly reduce the strain on the eyes. Intermittent breaks from reading, known as the 20-20-20 rule – every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away – can help. If the text is still too small, consider adjusting the text size or using a magnifying aid. Lastly, don't forget simple eye exercises can also serve to relax and refresh the eyes.
Encouraging Reading Among Seniors
Reading has an array of cognitive benefits for seniors, from building mental stamina to improving memory. Good eye care is pivotal to nurturing the love for reading among seniors. Ensuring seniors are equipped with the right tools, including a proper prescription, suitable reading glasses, and knowledge of ways to reduce eye strain, can make reading a more enjoyable activity.
Let Us Help with Basic In-Home Care
Regular eye care plays a vital role in maintaining not only eye health but also the overall well-being of seniors. We encourage seniors in Loma Linda, Redlands, Grand Terrace, and Rialto to value their vision and participate in National Eye Exam Month by scheduling a comprehensive eye exam.
Do you need help with basic in-home care tasks, especially as your vision deteriorates? Contact Senior Helpers San Bernardino today to learn more about how we can help.