As you reach middle age, you may notice changes in your body. Your eyesight, in particular, may not be as sharp as it was before. Many eye conditions have their onset later in life. Read on as your eye doctor from Opti-Care discusses common age-related vision problems.
Cataracts
The rate of protein breakdown in your body increases as you age. As your natural lenses are partly made of protein, they may disintegrate and form clumps on your lenses’ surface. Also known as cataracts, these clumps block light rays from passing through your eyes, resulting in cloudy or hazy vision. Removing cataracts surgically may be needed if they are causing significant eyesight restrictions.
Presbyopia
Your natural lenses may lose their flexibility as a natural part of the aging process. This compromises the light-focusing process in your eyes. As a result, you may experience blurry short-range vision. We may prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses that have multiple prescriptions to help you see better at varying distances.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
The macula is the part of your retina that’s responsible for your central vision. It may deteriorate as you age, making it difficult for you to see the things directly in front of you. While there’s currently no cure for age-related macular degeneration, eating eye-friendly foods and exercising regularly can help delay its progression. Having regular eye exams is helpful, as well.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Hormonal changes may occur as you age, particularly among post-menopausal women. These may affect the consistency of your tears, causing them to evaporate too rapidly, leading to dry eyes. Your eyes may become red, itchy and gritty. Our dry eye treatments include applying artificial tears or a warm compress over your eyes. Drinking lots of fluids is also a good idea.
For more information about age-related eye conditions, call us at (410) 600-3173. We serve Westminster and other communities throughout MD.