If you are in your early-to mid 40s, you may have begun to notice some changes in your close-distance vision. Print in restaurant menus looks blurred, especially under dim lighting. You find you need to hold newspapers farther away from your eyes to see the writing clearly. Or, you may need to remove your glasses to see better up close.
One of the most common age-related problems adults develop between 41-60 is called presbyopia, the change in the eyes’ focusing ability, and it especially affects reading and working on the computer.
Fortunately, people with presbyopia now have many options for improving their vision.
If you are interested in learning more about your options for laser vision in Orange County, visit Advanced Eye Medical today.
Who is at Risk?
Adults 41 and over who experience the following health and work-related conditions may be particularly at risk.
• Chronic systemic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
• A family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration.
• A visually demanding job or work in an eye-hazardous occupation.
• Health conditions related to high cholesterol, thyroid, anxiety or depression, and arthritis for which you take medications. Many medications (even antihistamines!) have visual side effects.
When you reach this age, make sure to schedule comprehensive eye exams every two years. This will help you stay ahead of developing eye and vision problems.
Common Age-Related Vision Changes
Difficulty reading up close is just one of the vision changes that you may notice with age. Here are some of the other changes you may notice.
Need for More Light
As you get older you may find you need brighter light to be able to see as well as you used to.
Solution: Add lighting to your work area or next to your reading chair to make reading tasks easier.
Problems with Glare
When driving, you may be bothered by the glare of headlights on the pavement at night or the sun on windshields during the day. “Changes in your lenses in your eyes cause light entering the eye to be scattered rather than focused precisely on the retina. This creates more glare.” [Source: American Optometric Association].
Solution: Wear “transitions” sunglasses, which darken in response to light, and avoid driving on highways when you are distracted by too much glare.
Changes in Color Perception
As you age, the (normally clear) lens inside your eye can begin to discolor, making it harder to distinguish between color shades.
Solutions: Special lenses (for sunglasses, prescription glasses, transitions, or contacts) are available to enhance color vision. You can also to organize items by order rather than color – for example, arrange your clothes in matching order to avoid wearing a clashing outfit. There are also New Apps to help with color detection.
Reduced Tear Production
When you are over 40, your tear ducts stop producing as many tears – this is especially true for women going through hormone changes. As a result, your eyes may often feel irritated; having enough moisture in your eyes is essential for eye health and clear sight.
Solution: Ask your doctor what kind of eye drops they recommend for you and carry them with you always.
Most Common Solutions for People with Presbyopia
As you advance from 40-60-years-old, presbyopia becomes more advanced as the lens inside the eye becomes less flexible. Around age 60, these changes should stop.
As a result, you may find you need to update your eyeglass or contact lens prescription regularly while the changes are happening, but less frequently once they subside. Presbyopia cannot be prevented or cured, but people experiencing it have the following options:
• Eyeglasses, including reading glasses and multifocal lenses
• Contact Lenses, including monovision and bifocal lenses
• Laser Surgery and other refractive surgery procedures
Laser Vision in Orange County
Dr. Gosheh and his team at Advanced Eye Medical can help you with age-related vision changes. We specialize in iLASIK and Monovision Correction through Clear Lens Extraction/Replacement for patients over 40. We have been providing excellent vision care, including eye exams, in Orange County for the past 25 years. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation towards laser vision in Orange County!