As you get older, your eyes will begin to change. Here are some of the most common eye conditions that will affect your vision in your older years. This includes Cataracts, Dry eye, Macular degeneration, and Presbyopia. If you’re worried about these changes, you can read this article to learn more. Here are the signs and symptoms of these conditions. Moreover, learn how you can prevent these problems.
Presbyopia
The main problem of presbyopia is the blurring of your near vision. It can cause significant eye strain and headaches. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available. Your optician can assess your condition and suggest the best option for you. It is important to see your doctor regularly for vision tests. Your lens and cornea are responsible for focusing light entering the eye. As you get older, these structures lose flexibility and will begin to fail you.
While presbyopia usually starts to appear when you are around 40 years old, it can develop at any age. It usually begins when the lens inside the eye hardens, resulting in a loss of focusing power. As your eyes continue to age, you will need to wear reading glasses to compensate. This will cause the lenses to age and develop scratches, which will impair the transmission of light and image quality. In some cases, corrective surgery may be required.
Cataracts
Many people may not realize that cataracts change vision with age. The lens becomes cloudy and yellowish. Color vision can become faded and even brownish. Cataracts can temporarily improve nearsightedness and improve vision in close-up, but the condition usually worsens as it progresses. People with the first stages of the disease may not need reading glasses. However, as the disease progresses, the color of the lens will change, making it more difficult to distinguish different shades of color.
If you’re over 60, you should consider getting a comprehensive eye exam. A comprehensive exam is important as it can detect early signs of age-related cataracts. A comprehensive eye exam is recommended every two years for people over sixty-five detect signs of age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma. Early diagnosis and treatment can save your sight. Changing your prescription frequently is an excellent way to delay the onset of cataracts.
Dry eye
The causes of age-related dry eye are not yet fully understood, but a variety of biochemical, molecular, and immune processes participate in the process. Inflammation on the ocular surface plays a key role in the progression of age-related dry eye. Understanding these processes will allow early intervention and prevent the onset of end-stage organ atrophy and ocular surface disease. A new study has shown that age-related dry eye is significantly associated with decreased vision in older adults.
If left untreated, dry eye can lead to irreversible damage to the cornea, leading to cloudy vision and possibly blindness. It is the leading cause of blindness globally and is most prevalent in low-income countries. In extreme cases, certain infections can also lead to vision problems. While minor corneal scratches will heal on their own, they may cause long-term damage. This is where artificial tears can help.
Macular degeneration
Macular degeneration is a common eye disease that causes deterioration of the macula, the small central area of the retina. It is caused by aging and can affect individuals of any age. However, it is most common in older people. Approximately 15 percent of people in Australia have symptoms of age-related macular degeneration. A doctor can check for signs of the disease during a routine eye exam. During a vision exam, your doctor will look for yellow deposits under the retina, called drusen.
The early stages of AMD may not cause symptoms at all, and you may not be able to detect it until the condition has progressed to a more advanced stage. During the early stages of the disease, vision is not affected, and driven from under the retina does not cause any problems. However, if you notice that these are growing in size, you may be at risk of developing a more serious form of the disease.
Glaucoma
The most common type of glaucoma in the United States is chronic open-angle glaucoma. This type of glaucoma damages the optic nerve by increasing pressure within the eye. The optic nerve can eventually lose some or all of its function. The damage usually occurs slowly, with some patients experiencing sensitivity to normal eye pressure. This type of glaucoma changes vision with age. If you suspect you have this condition, it is important to see a doctor for an evaluation.
The cause of glaucoma is unclear, but it is generally related to an increase in intraocular pressure. This condition develops when the fluid in the anterior chamber of the eye builds up and cannot drain normally. Normally, this fluid flows out through a drainage angle that is microscopic. If this drainage angle becomes blocked, fluid may accumulate and eventually damage the optic nerve. If your eye is affected by this disease, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible.