As you age, your body can change in a number of ways. Some of the most consequential of these changes pertain to your vision and eye health. Though not all age-related eye problems are inevitable, it’s important to be aware of some of the most common issues that can arise. Here are three ways your eyes can change as you age.
1. Your prescription may differ Over time, your ability to see objects both near and far can alter. Often, it’s in adolescence that people are first diagnosed as being nearsighted or myopic. This involves losing the ability to see things clearly at a distance. In many cases, this condition can worsen as you get older and lead to you needing a stronger prescription. Furthermore, in middle age, farsightedness or presbyopia becomes increasingly common. This involves your eyes losing the ability to focus on what’s close at hand. Often, this will cause you to need reading glasses or bifocals. 2. Your night vision may worsen Another common effect of aging is a progressive loss of night vision. Due to the weakening of rod cells in your eyes, which help them to adjust to low-light levels, your ability to see well at night and in dark rooms declines. Though this may seem like a mere annoyance, it can be a major problem when driving at night or in bad weather. 3. You may develop cataracts A cataract occurs when the lens in your eye becomes cloudy. Not everyone gets them as they get older, but they are very common among those over 70. Thankfully, surgery to remove cataracts is both safe and highly effective, giving most patients a full return to their pre-cataract vision. However, they’re best dealt with early, so be sure to schedule annual eye exams with your optometrist or eye doctor as you age. Visit Your Friendly Neighbourhood Optometrist Given these and other ways your eyes change as you get older, regular visits to an optometrist are a must. Even if you don’t currently have vision issues, regular screenings will ensure you deal with problems that arise in a timely manner. This will allow you to take the measures necessary to correct eye issues before they cause irreversible problems. Optometrists’ Clinic Inc. has five locations in the Greater Edmonton Area to help you with all your eye-care needs. To book an appointment, or learn more about our products and services, contact us today.