Most changes in vision occur in the early and later years of life. Although some
people may discover they have nearsightedness -- or difficulty seeing at a distance
-- as late as their mid-20s, vision typically stabilizes during the late teen
years. From then until around age 40, vision typically changes little, if at
all.
Presbyopia - Age-related
loss of close-up vision
At about 40 years of age, seeing to read or do close work
such as sewing may become difficult. This is known as
"presbyopia." Presbyopia, a name that comes from
the Greek words for "old eye," occurs because the
crystalline lens, an essential component of the eye's refractive,
or light-bending structure, loses flexibility as it grows
thicker with age. This lack of flexibility affects the ability
to focus on close objects. Generally,
by around age 45, reading glasses may be required for nearby
tasks. If near- or farsightedness is also present, a number
of vision correction options will be evaluated to best meet
your needs.
Spots
and floaters
People of every age may at times see spots and floaters,
which appear to look like specks of material, cobwebs,
thread-like strands or showers of brilliant crystals.
During the middle years of life, they may become more
frequent. These are optical defects that occur, as the
vitreous, the jelly-like body in the main globe of the
eye, becomes less jelly-like and more liquid as time
goes by. This change is not always uniform, and so the
mixture of jelly-like and liquid materials can affect
the passage of light to the retina. The
result is seen as 'floaters.' Although spots and floaters
are typically not of concern, they should be evaluated
promptly. If you suddenly experience a large number of
floaters, don't delay in making an appointment. A sudden
change may signify that something is wrong.
Glaucoma
For adults, it is important to schedule regular eye
examinations in order to detect and treat any occurrence
of glaucoma in its earliest stages. Most types of
glaucoma occur without the presence of any symptoms
and can only be detected during a routine eye examination.
Glaucoma occurs when fluid pressure inside the eye
rises, cutting off the blood supply in the very small
arteries carrying food and oxygen to the retina and
causing loss of side vision or blindness if left
untreated. It is a condition that can be arrested
or slowed down but not reversed, so early detection
is essential. Treatment often involves special eye
drops or medicine, but, in some cases, surgery may
be required. If detected early, chances that vision
can be maintained are usually very good.
Retinal
disorders
Retinal disorders have a greater chance of developing
in older adults, due to the aging process. These
often impair central vision. Advances in eye and
health care have made treatments more successful,
with chances of maintaining good vision now better
than ever. Conditions once considered sight threatening
may now be successfully treated if diagnosed early.
Suggestions
for better sight
- Be aware of your
visual limitations and compensate for them. You
may need more light for reading and other close tasks.
Move the lamp closer to you and/or use a larger watt bulb.
It is a fact that a 60 year old needs three times as much
light as a 20 year old to see near work as easily. Side
vision and reaction time may reduce with age. Keep this
in mind while driving or walking near traffic. Limit
night driving to well-lighted roads; keep headlights and
windshields clean; and be visually aware of traffic. Be
sure to keep glasses clean.
- Be sure to wear distance
spectacles if they are prescribed for you. While you may
feel that your distance vision is as good as it was when
you were younger, very often this is not the case.
Although natural vision
changes can't be prevented, they need not mean giving up
activities such as driving your car. By practicing good health
habits and having regular eye examinations, you should be
able to continue an active, productive and independent life. |
