Did the print on that label suddenly shrink? If you're 40 or older, you could have asked yourself this query since you've struggled to read something that you would see clearly easily.
Blame it in your aging eyes. Like our joints, our eyes undergo age-related changes. Although eye problems can affect people of any age, some conditions grow to be more common after the age of 40.
Getting old? Three common eye conditions.
Presbyopia The lens of the attention hardens with age, making it harder to give attention to things around you – hence your difficulty reading labels. Many people find satisfaction with inexpensive reading glasses, but once you wish them, it's time for a mid-life vision checkup.
Cataracts. Another common condition that may develop as you age is a cataract, a clouding of the lens of your eye that may impair vision. Cataracts affect about half of individuals between the ages of 65 and 74.
Dry eye syndrome. The condition affects greater than 15 million adults within the United States, and is attributable to decreased tear production. Low natural lubrication may cause your eyes to feel irritated, sticky, or you might experience eye irritation or itching. Depending on the severity, symptoms could also be treated with eye drops that mimic your natural tears, a prescription medication, or a tool to extend tear production.
Additional eye conditions that will occur with age or disease.
Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). Symptoms of this condition include visual disturbances, akin to seeing light lines, floaters, or a cobweb-like haze. They occur since the jelly-like substance in the attention called the vitreous starts to liquefy and contract, causing it to tug on the retina.
Call your medical team instantly should you notice these symptoms. Although most individuals who experience PVD won't need treatment, in some cases the vitreous can completely detach or tear from the retina. According to the American Society of Retina Specialists, the tear or detachment may cause vision loss, and laser procedures or surgery are needed to correct the issue.
Glaucoma Another condition that becomes more common after age 40 is glaucoma. This painless, often asymptomatic condition damages the optic nerve that transmits information out of your eyes to your brain. When left untreated, glaucoma can result in lack of peripheral or central vision. Often, glaucoma is treated with prescription eye drops designed to lower the pressure in your eye. Less commonly, your doctor may recommend a laser procedure or surgery.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This condition causes degeneration of the retina, a skinny layer of tissue in the back of the attention. Light-sensitive cells within the retina capture images and transmit them to the brain via the optic nerve. AMD affects the central a part of the retina called the macula. This can result in blurred or distorted vision, and possibly a blind spot in an individual's field of regard. Treatment, which can include medication or laser therapy, can often help prevent or no less than delay vision loss.
Diabetic retinopathy. This condition also damages the retina. For individuals with diabetes, keeping blood sugar and blood pressure under control might help prevent diabetic retinopathy. If it's detected, your ophthalmologist will recommend treatment, often eye injections or laser therapy.
Simple ways to keep up eye health
Many eye conditions might be effectively treated to avoid wasting your vision in the event that they are caught early. That's why it's smart to get regular eye exams, to detect potential problems and treat them before they affect your vision.
You may take other steps to make sure your eyes stay healthy, akin to exercising, eating a healthy weight loss program, quitting smoking, and protecting your eyes from ultraviolet rays by wearing sunglasses outside. to avoid wasting.