7 Everyday Habits That Support Healthy Vision as You Age

Your eyes work hard every day.

From looking at screens and driving at night to reading, working and spending time outdoors, healthy vision plays a major role in maintaining an active, independent lifestyle.

And while changes in vision are a normal reason to pay more attention to eye health as we get older, supporting your eyes isn't something that needs to wait until later in life.

Nutrition, lifestyle and routine eye care can all play a role in supporting your vision throughout life.

Here are seven habits worth paying attention to.

1. Eat Plenty of Colorful Fruits and Vegetables

A healthy diet is one of the simplest places to start.

Dark leafy greens and colorful fruits and vegetables provide a variety of vitamins, minerals and plant compounds.

Two nutrients commonly associated with eye nutrition are lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids that are found naturally in foods including leafy green vegetables.

Research from the National Eye Institute has also extensively studied lutein and zeaxanthin as part of the AREDS2 formulation. It's important to note that the benefits demonstrated in AREDS2 apply to specific populations and formulations, rather than proving that any individual eye supplement prevents eye disease.

Foods to consider adding to your diet:

Spinach, kale, broccoli, eggs, peppers and other colorful produce can help add variety to your nutritional intake.

2. Don't Forget Omega-3-Rich Foods

Fat is also an important part of a balanced diet.

Fatty fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel provide omega-3 fatty acids.

It's worth being precise here: while fish can be part of a nutritious diet, the AREDS2 trial did not find that adding omega-3 supplements to the AREDS formulation reduced progression to advanced AMD.

The bigger lesson is to focus on an overall nutrient-dense diet rather than expecting one nutrient to do everything.

3. Give Your Eyes a Break From Screens

Phones, computers and televisions have become a major part of everyday life.

If you spend hours looking at a screen, build regular breaks into your routine.

Try periodically looking away from your screen and focusing on something farther away. Adjust your workspace so you're comfortable, reduce unnecessary glare and remember to blink regularly.

Your eyes weren't designed to stare at something a couple of feet away all day without a break.

4. Protect Your Eyes Outdoors

Just as you protect your skin from excessive sun exposure, consider protection for your eyes.

Quality sunglasses can help protect your eyes from ultraviolet radiation while also making bright outdoor environments more comfortable.

And don't forget them in winter. Snow can reflect a tremendous amount of light.

5. Prioritize Sleep and Recovery

Your eyes need rest too.

Consistent, quality sleep gives your body time to recover from the demands of the day.

Instead of thinking about eye health as something completely separate from the rest of your health, think of it as another reason to maintain good foundational habits: quality sleep, regular exercise, balanced nutrition and adequate hydration.

6. Keep Up With Routine Eye Exams

Nutrition isn't a replacement for professional eye care.

Regular comprehensive eye exams can help identify changes that you may not notice yourself.

How frequently you need an exam depends on factors such as your age, vision, health history and your eye care professional's recommendations.

If you've noticed sudden or significant changes in your vision, don't rely on supplements or lifestyle changes. Talk with an eye care professional.

7. Fill Nutritional Gaps Intentionally

A nutrient-rich diet should be the foundation of your eye-health routine, but it isn't always easy to consistently get every nutrient you're looking for from food alone.

That's where a targeted supplement can complement a healthy diet.

Beyond Health Vision Plus combines several nutrients and plant compounds selected to support eye health, including:

• Lutein, 10 mg and Zeaxanthin, 2 mg, carotenoids that naturally concentrate in the macula of the eye and can also be found in foods such as leafy greens and eggs.
• Zinc, 10 mg, an essential mineral that contributes to normal vision and helps protect cells from oxidative stress.
• Bilberry Extract, 240 mg, standardized to 25% anthocyanidins.
• Eyebright Extract, 300 mg, a botanical traditionally associated with eye-health formulas.
• Selenium, 100 mcg, an essential trace mineral involved in antioxidant defense.
• L-Taurine, 400 mg, an amino-sulfonic acid naturally present in high concentrations in ocular tissues.
• Alpha Lipoic Acid, 100 mg, along with VitaCarb Whole Grape Extract, 100 mg and a 150 mg standardized fruit blend containing grape, cranberry, pomegranate, blueberry, apple, bilberry, blackberry, raspberry and strawberry.

Rather than relying on one ingredient, Vision Plus brings together carotenoids, minerals, botanicals and antioxidant compounds in one daily formula.

Support Your Daily Eye-Health Routine

For a limited time, Vision Plus is 25% off, making now a great time to add targeted nutritional support to your daily wellness routine.