How to protect your eyes as you age. Preventing and treating age-related eye problems

As you age, your eyes undergo normal changes, including presbyopia, cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and dry eye. Presbyopia is a vision problem where it becomes more difficult to read close objects, requiring you to hold them further away. It is treated with reading glasses, which can be prescribed by an optometrist.

Cataracts affect the lens of the eye, making it difficult to focus on nearby objects. Glaucoma, a type of vision loss caused by damage to the optic nerve, is common in people over 40 and usually occurs in people over 50. Regular eye checks with an optometrist can help identify signs of the disease and treat it.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) leads to a loss of central vision due to degeneration of the macula, a small but important part of the retina that helps with detailed vision for activities such as reading and driving. Maintaining good blood sugar control and having regular eye exams can help reduce the risk of developing DMLV.

Diabetic retinopathy affects many people with diabetes, especially those who have had diabetes for a long time. Maintaining good blood sugar control and having regular eye exams can help reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Dry eye is a common condition among all age groups, especially the elderly, and can lead to symptoms such as itchy, burning or painful eyes.

It’s important to remember that vision affects your safety and the safety of others, so it’s essential to take care of your eyes, especially if you’re behind the wheel.

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Prevention methods

Eye problems in the elderly often have few or no symptoms in the early stages, making regular optometrist consultation crucial. To reduce the risk of developing eye problems, maintain a healthy lifestyle, avoid smoking, limit screen time, take breaks when working, avoid reading in dim light, wear sunglasses with polaroid lenses when you are outside and wear safety glasses when working with chemicals, power tools, or when playing sports.

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What could increase your risk of developing eye problems

Smoking increases the risk of developing eye problems such as glaucoma and AMD. Diabetes is linked to glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. High blood pressure increases the risk of developing glaucoma and AMD. Obesity also increases the risk of DMLV. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help control these risk factors and keep your vision good for longer.

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When should I see an optometrist?

If you notice any changes in your vision, such as spots, eye pain, vision loss, blurred or double vision, reduced color vision, increased sensitivity to glare or dry eyes, it is essential to see an optometrist. Regular check-ups are essential, usually every 1-2 years, as most eye conditions are easier to treat if caught early. Older people are at greater risk of vision problems, especially those over 60 .

Eye conditions can be treated differently, some requiring surgery and others with medication or laser treatments, according to HealthDirect. Each treatment has its own benefits and risks, influenced by factors such as general health and other medical problems. Your optometrist and specialist ophthalmologist can give you information about these treatments.

An optometrist is a professional who assesses eye health and prescribes corrective lenses for various eye conditions. Traditional glasses can be used or contact lenses may be suitable for those with a more active lifestyle. Different types of glasses are available for different eye conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or presbyopia. If you need glasses for several eye conditions, optometrists can recommend multifocal lenses for near and far vision without changing glasses.

Your prescription can change over time, so it’s essential to see your optometrist every 1 or 2 years to make sure your glasses are still suitable. Although over-the-counter reading glasses can be convenient, it is essential to consult an optometrist to make sure the glasses are right for you. Over-the-counter reading glasses may help with age-related farsightedness, but not with other eye conditions such as nearsightedness.

Your optometrist can provide you with suitable contact lenses and advice on safe wear, as incorrect or ill-fitting lenses can cause serious complications. It is essential to follow your optometrist’s instructions to maintain good vision.

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