Kirby Pines Retirement Community | The Pinecone

The Pinecone | August 2024 • 5 • VISION CHANGES Seeing Clearly: I can see clearly now; the rain is gone! Vision is linked tomaintaining independence, navigating surroundings, and brain health! The brain and eyes are intrinsically linked, and therefore, healthy eyes have been linked to healthy brains. Did you know? • 80% of all learning comes through the eyes • Eyes can distinguish approximately 10 million different colors and focus on 50 different objects every second • Eyes are made up of over 2 million working parts and 107 million light-sensitive cells • The only organ more complex than the eye is the brain Even though good vision is an important factor in taking in the world around us, it is estimated that 93 million adults in the U.S. are at high risk for serious vision loss, but only half visited an eye doctor in the last 12 months. So, what is the difference between low vision and impaired vision? Low Vision • Fully corrected vision that is still insufficient or interferes with the ability to do things you want to be able to do. • Low vision is a vision problem that makes it hard to do everyday activities Impaired Vision • Broad term that refers to any loss of vision • Can be corrected with glasses, contacts, corrective eye surgery, etc. Keeping Your Vision in Tip Top Shape: Eat Well . Nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamins C and E can help ward off vision-related problems like cataracts and macular degeneration. Fill your plate with green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale), salmon, tuna, eggs, and citrus fruits. Quit Smoking. It makes you more likely to develop cataracts, damage to your optic nerve, and macular degeneration. Wear Sunglasses. Too much UV exposure boosts your chances of cataracts and macular degeneration. Choose a pair that blocks 99%-100% of UVA and UVB rays. Use Safety Eyewear. If you use hazardous or airborne materials on the job or at home, wear safety glasses or protective goggles! Look Away! Staring at a computer screen can cause eye strain, blurry vision, dry eyes, headaches, and neck pain. Try to rest your eyes every 20 minutes – look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. For more information on how Functional Pathways can help you with your vision, or provide you with adaptive devices to cope with your low or impaired vision, please contact our Therapy Team!