Aging and Vision Problems: Maintaining Your Visual Health

Your risk of developing certain eye conditions increases as you age. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t have healthy eyes in your senior years. By making a few simple lifestyle changes, you can safeguard your visual health as you age. Downtown Eyes, your local optician, shares some tips below.

How Aging Affects Your Eyes

It’s important to understand how the aging process affects your vision. As you age, you might begin to have trouble seeing objects up close. That’s because the clear, curved lens at the front of your eye is usually the first to exhibit signs of aging. The lens hardens as you get older, causing a condition called presbyopia. You might notice changes in your vision as early as in your 20s, but normally, it’s not until you reach 35 that you start to experience these changes.

Presbyopia is a condition that diminishes your eyes’ ability to focus on nearby objects, such as a menu at a restaurant or the text on your smart phone. No need to worry though—reading glasses can help you see better. To restore your vision, you’ll need to undergo an eye exam and pick up your eyeglasses from your local optician. You can also ask your local optician about your treatment options.

Keep in mind that most of the vision changes related to aging are subtle. The changes you might experience as you get older include:

1. Smaller pupil size – The pupil is responsible for letting in the light, which the lens has to focus on the retina. The light is then transmitted into your brain, which interprets it as images, allowing you to see your immediate surroundings. The pupil is located at the center of the iris, the colored part of the eye.

   As you age, the muscles controlling the size of the pupil get weaker, making older people less sensitive to ambient lighting. This is why seniors may need three times more ambient lighting to read comfortably and are more easily dazzled by sunlight when they come out of a dimly lit building. Wearing eyeglasses with reflective coatings can reduce sensitivity to light.

2. Decreased color vision – The retina is made of hundreds of cells that interpret color, but the sensitivity of these cells—particularly the ones in charge of interpreting the color blue—diminish over time, lowering overall color contrast. Unfortunately, there is no treatment yet for diminished color vision due to aging.
3. Worsening peripheral vision – Peripheral or side vision is what allows your eye to see objects beside you while you’re looking straight ahead. This field of vision decreases gradually as you age, which is why older people need to be more cautious when driving and should always look both ways before driving past intersections. Seniors should undergo an eye examination at least once a year to treat any vision problems that could hamper their driving.
4. Dry eyes – As you age, your tear glands will have a harder time producing enough tears to keep your eyes moist, causing dry eyes. Use artificial tears to keep them moist.

Conditions Stemming From Eye Aging

Apart from presbyopia, what are the other eye conditions that can stem from aging? Here’s an overview of the most common conditions:

1. Cataracts – The clouding of the normally clear lens on your eyes is called a cataract. As the lens becomes less flexible over time, some of the tissues might break down and clump together, clouding your vision and forming cataracts. With nearly 50% of all 65-year-old Americans suffering from some degree of cataracts, this is one of the most common eye conditions among seniors. Symptoms include:
   1. Clouded or dim vision
   2. Sensitivity to light
   3. Double vision in one eye
   4. Diminishing color contrast in your vision
   5. The need for brighter light during reading activities.

      A patient will need to get new eyeglasses if their cataracts increase their prescription, but otherwise, there’s usually no need for additional treatment. However, if the symptoms start to interfere with their daily routines, they might need cataract surgery. During cataract surgery, doctors will replace the clouded lens with an artificial lens. Some patients might be hesitant about undergoing surgery. However, this well-known fact should allay their fears: cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective modern surgical procedures. The vast majority of the estimated three million cataract surgeries performed in the country every year have produced excellent outcomes. Keep in mind that other factors aside from aging can increase your risk of developing cataracts. That’s why we strongly recommend older patients to schedule a routine eye examination every year.

2. Glaucoma – Glaucoma, a group of conditions that can damage the optic nerve, is the leading cause of blindness in people aged over 60. However, it can occur at any age. This condition is asymptomatic in the early stages, which is why it is sometimes referred to as the “silent thief of sight.” As they condition progresses, it may cause symptoms such as:
   1. For open-angle glaucoma: patchy side or central vision and in the later stages tunnel vision
   2. For acute angle-closure glaucoma: headache, nausea, blurred vision, red eyes and seeing halos around lights.

      These symptoms are the result of the buildup of fluid inside your eye either due to the overproduction of the fluid or issues with the drainage system. While age can increase your risk of developing glaucoma, it isn’t the only factor. Other factors include a family history of glaucoma, a thin cornea, extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness, previous eye injuries and prolonged use of corticosteroid medicines

      Remember: The symptoms of glaucoma usually start to appear in the advanced stages and any vision loss caused by the condition is permanent, which is why it’s important to frequently see your eye doctor for an eye exam.

3. Macular degeneration – Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in the country, with more than 10 million Americans suffering from the condition. That’s more than the number of people with cataracts and glaucoma combined. This condition is caused by the deterioration of the macula, the central portion of the retina that’s responsible for sending images to the brain via the optic nerve.

   Unfortunately, doctors have yet to find a treatment for macular degeneration. Currently, the best way to prevent vision loss due to macular degeneration is to reduce your risk of developing the disease. Risk factors include:

   1. Age – This is the biggest risk factor. People aged 55 and above are more likely to develop the condition.
   2. Smoking – Smoking cigarettes can double your risk for macular degeneration.
   3. Genetics – People with a known family history of macular degeneration have a higher risk.

Tips for Maintaining Vision Health 

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the most important thing you can do to safeguard your visual health as you age. Here are some tips:

1. Eat a diet rich in lutein – Yale University researchers found that lutein, a yellowish pigment, can act as a natural sunscreen for your eyes, lowering your overall risk of vision loss, cataracts and macular degeneration. Eggs, spinach, kale and other green leafy vegetables are rich in this nutrient.
2. Take Vitamin C and finish supplements with meals – Vitamin C, an antioxidant, and the healing fats in fish oil help reduce inflammation in your eyes. Taking two 500 mg doses of vitamin C daily and 2,000 mg of fish oil with meals daily can reduce your risk of blurry vision, eye strain and eye fatigue by 25 percent. You can also try incorporating more fruits, vegetables and oily fish into your diet.
3. Practice vision exercises – Focusing on a laptop or a book over a long time can increase eye strain. After all, just like any muscle in your body, the muscles controlling your eyes need rest and exercise to retain their strength. Doctors recommend taking a break every 30 minutes while doing desk work and practicing this exercise:
   1. Focus your eyes on your thumb, which should be six inches away from your eyes. Do this while taking deep breaths.
   2. Afterward, shift your attention to an object at least 10 feet away. Don’t forget to take a deep breath while shifting your gaze.
   3. Continue practicing this exercise for a minute.

For more vision health tips, consult your local optician.