Most people would rate their sight as their most
important sense, due to the fact that we process as much as 80% of the world
around us visually. Age-related vision changes are a natural part of the
aging process, and our needs and problems vary according to age and
lifestyle. So, it’s critical to protect your precious sight and be aware
of these age-related vision changes that can occur over a lifetime.
Although you can’t prevent hereditary conditions, some advanced-age
vision problems and complications can be prevented early on. Following a healthy
diet and not smoking are the best defense strategies. You can read more about
eye health and nutrition. So, what else do you need to know about age and
eye health?
Childhood vision changes
Children can develop vision problems early in life,
and without the ability to voice their own concerns, it’s up to parents to
keep a close watch on their development. The most common vision problems that
can develop in early childhood include:
• Nearsightedness
(myopia), which results in difficulty focusing distant objects.
• Farsightedness
(hyperopia), which results in difficulty reading and focusing near objects.
• Lazy eye
(amblyopia), which results in crossed or misaligned eyes, and often occurs in
infancy. It can be corrected if detected early.
Your
child’s vision can have a profound impact on his or her behavior and
concentration and is critical for success in early education. Although many
schools will perform basic eye tests, it’s important to have your
child’s eyes examined regularly by a specialist. Eye exams are free
for children younger than 16 under the NHS.
Students and young adults: Technology and vision problems
It’s important to continue healthy habits throughout school age and into young adulthood. A diet rich in eye-healthy vitamins can help preserve vision as the eyes mature. Plenty of exercise and a limited amount of screen time can also help keep eyes in tip-top shape. Impaired vision affects young people’s independent studying, classroom performance, as well as sporting and other activities. It may be challenging to separate your teens from their smartphones, but limiting exposure to mobile devices also helps give young eyes the rest they need to thrive while becoming fully developed. For active lifestyles, many young people choose daily contact lenses to correct myopia, thus eliminating the need for contact lens care and maintenance.
Adults and middle age vision changes
Continued screen use and long working days contribute to overall eye fatigue and dry eye syndrome. Get in the habit of resting your eyes during your work day to prevent and relieve eye strain. Experts suggest the 20–20–20 rule: every 20 minutes, look away from your computer and focus on an object 20 feet away from you for about 20 seconds. Another concern is the onset of presbyopia, an age-related condition causing the eye lens to lose flexibility. This results in an inability to focus on near objects, and difficulty transitioning between near and far objects. Presbyopia is not the same as farsightedness, as its onset is usually around the age of 40, but it can usually be corrected with multifocal contact lenses. Make sure to schedule an eye examination every year, especially if you notice any changes in your night vision, depth perception, or while driving.
Advanced age vision impairment
With advancing age comes a variety of new eye-health
concerns. Cataracts, glaucoma and AMD are not usually painful conditions, but
they do affect quality of vision.
• Cataracts cause
blurred or cloudy vision due to a loss of transparency of the eye lens. They are
usually treated with surgery.
• Glaucoma is a
result of a buildup of pressure in the eyeball that causes damage to the optic
nerve. It can be treated with eye drops or, in some cases, surgery.
•
Age-related macular degeneration and low vision (AMD) affects central, not
peripheral vision.
The onset of menopause in women can cause dry
eye symptoms, and hormone replacement therapy can often exacerbate the problem.
Talk to your doctor if you experience dry, irritated eyes as a result of
menopause or any associated medications.
Our eyes are our
most precious resources. Although we cannot prevent hereditary or age-related
conditions, we can do our best throughout our lifetime to preserve and maintain
healthy vision. This starts with a healthy, balanced lifestyle and regular
examinations from your eye-care professional.
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