Vision Changes
How Vision Changes as You Age
Most people have experienced changes in their vision at some point in their lives. Big Bend Family Eye Care, a Tallahassee optometrist office, knows all too well about vision changes as we treat people every day for it. Most people don’t know it but after the age 40, your risk for several vision problems increases. But don’t worry, we are here to help you through it.
Age-Related Eye Problems in Tallahassee
Presbyopia: This is a normal age-related loss of near focusing ability. If you’re over the age 40, presbyopia is not an eye disease and can easily be corrected with bifocals, progressive lenses or multifocal contacts.
Cataracts: The opacities in the eye’s lens that most often occur as a result of aging. This is one of the most common cause of vision loss among seniors. If you’re 65 years old or older, you may have some degree of cataract forming. Typically, vision can be restored with cataract surgery and after your time of recovery, you will be able to see so much better.
Macular Degeneration: Age related Macular Degeneration or AMD, is a the leading cause of blindness among seniors and is a very serious age-related eye disease. Though the cause of AMD is not completely understood, chronic inflammation and oxidative changes appear to play a role.
Glaucoma: This is a very common condition that cause vision loss because of optic nerve damage. It is usually due to high eye pressure and if it can be caught early, we can prevent permanent vision loss.
Diabetic Retinopathy: If you are diabetic and do not treat it as prescribed, diabetic retinopathy can cause eye damage that can cause blindness.
Some other age-related eye problems include:
- Dry Eyes
- Reduced Peripheral Vision
- Decreased Color Vision
Best Ways to Protect Your Vision
The best way to protect your eyesight for a lifetime of good vision is to eat a healthy diet, maintain a proper weight, exercise and have routine comprehensive eye exams at least every two years or more.