How Does Your Vision Change As You Age?
Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York
Internationally known leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases.
Just as our physical strength declines with age, so does our eyes' performance, especially as we go into our 60s and beyond.
However, some of us will develop more significant age-related eye disorders that have a greater impact on our quality of life as we age. These disorders include glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
1. Presbyopia
After reaching the age of 40, you will realize that it is increasingly difficult to focus on items up close. Presbyopia is a normal loss of focusing power caused by lens hardening inside the eye. Eventually, you will require reading glasses, multifocal contact lenses, or multifocal spectacles. Some corrective surgery treatments for presbyopia include monovision LASIK and conductive keratoplasty (CK).
2. Cataracts
Cataracts are considered an age-related eye condition, although they are so frequent in seniors that they can alternatively be regarded as a normal aging change. According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately half of all 65-year-old Americans have some level of cataract formation in their eyes. As you approach your 70s, the percentage rises even higher. It is anticipated that by 2020, more than 30 million Americans will have cataracts.
Fortunately, contemporary cataract surgery is so safe and successful that it frequently restores all of the vision lost due to cataract formation. If you are experiencing vision changes due to cataracts, do not hesitate to consult your eye doctor. It is often preferable to get cataracts removed before they go too far. Additionally, multifocal lens implants are now accessible.
3. Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration, often known as age-related macular degeneration or AMD, is the primary cause of blindness among American seniors. The National Eye Institute (NEI) estimates that several million people in the United States require macular degeneration treatment . The United States' population is rapidly aging, and this figure is predicted to rise.
4. Glaucoma
Your chance of having glaucoma rises with each decade after age 40, from roughly 1% in your forties to up to 12% in your eighties. Glaucoma, if found early enough, can often be controlled with medication treatment or surgery, preventing vision loss.
5. Diabetic Retinopathy
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According to the National Epidemiological Institute, roughly 10.2 million Americans over the age of 40 have diabetes. Many specialists believe that up to 30% of those with diabetes have yet to be diagnosed. The NEI estimates that 40% of known diabetics over the age of 40 have some degree of diabetic retinopathy , with one out of every 12 people in this age range having severe, vision-threatening retinopathy. Managing the underlying diabetes disease in its early stages is critical to preventing eyesight loss.
How Does Aging Influence Other Eye Structures?
As we age, the muscles that control our pupil size and sensitivity to light weaken. This narrows the pupil and makes it less responsive to changes in ambient brightness. Because of these changes, people in their 60s require three times as much ambient light for comfortable reading as those in their 20s.
Seniors are also more susceptible to being dazzled by strong sunshine and glare when exiting a darkly lit building, such as a movie theater. Eyeglasses with photochromic lenses and anti-reflective coating can help to alleviate this issue.
As we age, our bodies generate fewer tears. This is especially true for women following menopause. If you begin to experience burning, stinging, or other eye discomfort caused by dry eyes, apply artificial tears as needed throughout the day for relief, or visit your eye doctor for additional choices, such as prescription dry eye treatments.
As we get older, the gel-like vitreous inside our eyes begins to liquefy and peel away from the retina, resulting in "spots and floaters" and (sometimes) flashes of light. This disorder, known as vitreous detachment, is generally innocuous. However, floaters and flashes of light can also indicate the start of a retinal detachment, a serious condition that can lead to blindness if not treated right once. If you are experiencing flashes and floaters, consult your eye doctor immediately to discover the source.
What You Can Do to Prevent Age-Related Visual Deterioration
A good diet and prudent lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise, weight management, stress reduction, and quitting smoking, are your strongest natural defenses against vision loss as you age. Additionally, schedule frequent eye checkups with a compassionate and knowledgeable optometrist or ophthalmologist.