Four Vision Changes That Happen As You Age
Ah, the joys of aging! As we age, every part of the body undergoes changes, including our eyes. As your vision begins to change, you may wonder what is normal (and what is not). If you are experiencing these issues, join the crowd. All of us over a certain age (generally age 40) eventually experience these four vision changes:
– Need More Light to See
– Wear Reading Glasses
– Adjustment Period to Changing Light Conditions
– Trouble Distinguishing Colors & Borders
For all of us, we begin to require more light to see clearly and may find that reading glasses become our new reading companion sometime after age 40. We may also need more time to adjust to changing light conditions and have trouble distinguishing between borders and certain similar colors (such as navy blue and black). Dry eyes and difficulty seeing after dark can also be a part of the aging process for many of us. If you are approaching (or over) age 40 and haven’t been in to your nearest Wise Eyes Optical lately, now would be a great time to schedule an exam (and install some brighter lights throughout your home – they really do help).
Reading Glasses Make Life So Much Easier!
Even if you have never worn glasses or contacts, you are going to want a pair of reading glasses soon if you don’t already have a pair. They can really help make life a lot easier when reading fine print -and unless you already wear glasses or contacts for vision correction, there is no need to wear them all the time. They sure come in handy when paying bills and reading labels and other small printed materials. Put the magnifying glass away and pop on your reading glasses!
Vision Loss Is Never Normal
Although aging brings many vision-related changes that are normal and anticipated, remember that any degree of actual loss of vision is never normal at any age. The chance of developing certain diseases of the eye and blindness increase proportionately with age. As soon as your early 40s, you face an increased risk of developing certain age-related eye conditions. By your 60s, you are highly likely to have at least one eye condition. The good news is that most of these vision-related conditions can be effectively halted – but only if they are detected early enough. Schedule your annual eye examination so your eye care professional can screen you for age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and other conditions that can steal your sight.
How Can I Protect My Vision?
There are several things you can do to protect your vision at any age. If you smoke, stop. Regular exercise is not just good for your entire body; it is also one of the best ways to help maintain your sight well into advanced age. If you have diabetes, be sure to keep it well controlled. You should also take steps to maintain a normal weight and blood pressure.
You can help protect your vision with a diet that contains plenty of seafood and green leafy vegetables. When outside, shield your eyes from the harmful UV rays with protective sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat. You should also protect your eyes from injury while working and playing sports by wearing protective eyewear. Be sure to have your eyes examined at your nearest Wise Eyes Optical center annually, or as advised by your eye care professional.
