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Protecting Your Eyesight From Age-Related Eye Problems

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Our eyesight naturally degrades as we age. That’s a simple fact. Glasses and contact lenses become essential for maintaining vision. However, poor eye health can be avoided. Protecting your eyes from age-related eye problems is possible. Let’s look at some of the most common eye issues associated with aging and learn what to do to keep your eyes strong and healthy.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a fancy name for needing glasses to read as your eyes age. This even happens to those who previously had perfect eyesight.

man with mobile phone has trouble reading the screen

You might have presbyopia if you have the following symptoms:

This happens because the lenses in our eyes become less flexible. Lenses need to be flexible, so they can adjust focus from near to far quickly and easily. As our eyes lose this flexibility, focusing close-up becomes more difficult.

Although eye doctors say that you cannot prevent presbyopia, some people have found that maintaining strong eyes helps. They keep their eyes strong through simple exercises. Some exercises are distant object focusing, arm’s length focusing, and the clock face exercise.

Macular Degeneration

For American seniors over the age of fifty, macular degeneration is the main cause of vision issues and blindness. Although age and genetics play a role, there are several other risk factors including:

As a result of macular degeneration, vision loss occurs in the center of the eye. But, those with macular degeneration will often keep peripheral vision.

However, there are a few things you can do to prevent macular degeneration or slow its course. These include:

Cataracts

woman’s eye with a cataract

Another common eye disease that leaves people with poor vision is cataracts. This eye disease affects more than 24 million Americans over the age of 40. Over half of Americans over the age of 80 have cataracts.

A person with a cataract has a clouded lens. This causes the inability to see clearly. As a result, cataracts are typically treated with surgery to replace the lens.

Although cataracts are treatable, preventing them is beneficial. Here are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of cataracts:

Dry Eyes

woman using eye drops

As you age, your body naturally produces fewer tears. That’s why dry eyes is a common ailment among older people.

Symptoms of dry eyes include:

The best way to relieve dry eyes is with moisturizing eye drops. However, to prevent dry eyes, you can try the following:

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is actually a group of eye diseases that progressively damage the optic nerve due to high pressure inside the eye. Those with glaucoma can have permanent vision loss or even blindness if left untreated.

Unfortunately, many forms of glaucoma have no symptoms until vision loss occurs. That is why it is so important to see your eye doctor regularly. They will dilate your eyes to look for early signs of optic nerve damage. If found, there are ways to slow down the progress of the disease.

older woman having an eye exam

Although glaucoma cannot be prevented, there are things you can do for healthy eyes. These include:

Detached Retina

This eye problem requires immediate help from a doctor. This happens when the retina pulls away as cells in the retina no longer get nourishment or oxygen. This leads to vision loss.

Since immediate care is required, you should know the signs of a detached retina:

If you notice these symptoms, go to the emergency room or contact your eye doctor immediately.

To prevent a detached retina, do the following:

Finally, know the warning signs. The faster you get to the doctor, the more likely they will be able to fix the tear before you experience permanent vision loss.

Aging and Contact Lenses

older man putting in contact lenses

Since most people over the age of 60 need corrective lenses, it’s good to know your options.

Years ago, the only option available for presbyopia was bifocal eyeglasses. However, contact lenses are now available. Known as multifocal lenses, contact lenses provide the ability to see far away, close up, and everything in between.

Additionally, those with eye diseases like glaucoma can continue wearing contact lenses. Be sure to speak to your eye doctor to determine what is best for your eyes.

Yes, eyes age. However, eyes do not have to be unhealthy. Protecting your eyesight is as easy as following the tips on this page.

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