Increasing age is a risk factor for most eye conditions. This is why taking care of your visual health as early as today is important. A good place to start is to be familiar with common age-related vision problems. Clear View Vision Care discusses some of them in today’s post.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration develops when your macular, your retina’s focal point, deteriorates as you age. This may lead to central vision problems, such as difficulties viewing the things in front of you. You may also start seeing “floaters” or blind spots across your field of vision. Our management for this condition largely depends on which type you have.
Cataracts
Your eyes’ natural lenses are flexible and transparent. However, protein fragments may deposit on their surface as you age, leading to cataract formation. Cataracts may block light rays from entering your eyes, resulting in cloudy vision. We may suggest removing them surgically if they are causing significant vision problems.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eyes happen when your eyes don’t produce tears at a healthy level or they fail to maintain your tear film’s correct consistency. The risk of having this problem increases as you get older, partly because of the hormonal changes that may happen over time. We may suggest applying artificial tear drops for your improved visual comfort. For more severe cases, inserting punctal plugs may be the best option.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is an age-related refractive error that occurs when your eyes’ flexible lenses become rigid as part of the normal aging process. This problem often becomes evident once you reach your 40s. You may have a hard time seeing nearby objects clearly, which is why you prefer holding your reading materials at an arm’s length. Using multifocal lenses may help you see better at varying distances.
Having regular eye exams is an effective way of maintaining your visual health and clarity even in your golden years. Call us today at (520) 394-6111 or complete our form to schedule a consultation. We serve Tucson and the surrounding AZ communities.
