How Our Vision Changes as We Age
You probably learned from your high school health course that your body stops changing after adolescence. Well, the truth is that your body constantly changes right from birth to old age. Of course, the body changes are not just from a growth perspective but also deterioration.
Your eyes are subject to change from your teenage years to old age. Are you straining a bit to read that email on your smartphone? Or, do you need more light for proper vision? Well, these are regular changes that come with age. However, some changes are not normal.
We've rounded up four normal vision changes that come with age.
Presbyopia (Old Eyes)
As you grow old, your eye lens suffers the loss of flexibility required to change shape. As a result, your eyes find it more challenging to focus on nearby objects, such as a book. It is for this reason that you are unable to read the restaurant menu if the place is not well lit.
Other symptoms include increased headaches, eye irritation, and drowsiness when working on your laptop or desktop. This condition is called presbyopia and usually kicks in around age 40. It will affect you at some point as you grow old.
Talk to your eye doctor about getting prescription reading glasses. If you haven't noticed the symptoms yet, you can avoid them altogether by taking proven eye vitamins to enhance the flexibility of your eyes.
Dry Eyes
As you age, your body does not produce sufficient moisture like before. Thus, there are not enough tears for your eyes. Because of the reduced production, your eyes will start to feel dry and irritated. Reading or working in front of the computer may prove difficult. You may feel a burning sensation. Taking omega-3s boosts the production of tears.
Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Like presbyopia, you can't escape from AMD. This condition occurs when the light-sensitive cells of the retina stop working due to damage. This part of the eye, the macula, is used to read, drive, watch TV, and do other detailed activities.
Notice any shadowy sections or dark areas in your central vision? Or do straight lines appear wavy? These are some of the early symptoms of AMD. The lack of a clear central vision is often frustrating and inconvenient. If left untreated, you may not even be able to read, drive, or see the face of a loved one. Omega-3 fatty acids and exercise help prevent or slow down age-related macular degeneration.
Loss of Eye Muscle Strength
Old age deteriorates the strength of your eye muscles. In effect, it affects how fast your pupil reacts to different lightings. Your pupil also reduces in size.
That is why a lot of elderly people struggle to see in both bright and dim lighting. The pupil is slow to dilate or contract in dim and brightly lit environments. An anti-reflective coating is usually fixed to your eyewear to help your eye quickly adapt to any light setting.
What to Do About Age-related Eyesight Changes
Add omega-3s as part of your diet. Also, practice good lifestyle choices like regular exercising and not smoking. Routine eye tests are important as well. At TMS Eyecare, we use the latest technology and equipment to test your eyesight to detect all eye conditions and whether they are age-related or not. Visit any of our clinics in Wichita and Arkansas City, Kansas, for in-depth eye consultations.
