If you are in the autumn of your years, you may have noticed that your body doesn't work quite as well as it once did. Vision is one area that can cause particular problems. Read on to find out everything you need to know about understanding and dealing with age-related vision issues.
Why can eyesight decline with age?
There are a number of reasons why your eyesight might worsen as you get older. Possible causes include the following.
Other medical conditions
Other medical issues you are experiencing as you age may also be impacting your ability to see clearly. For example, untreated high blood pressure or diabetes can cause significant damage to the lenses and retina.
Eye-related illnesses
Your vision may also suffer if you develop a condition that targets the eye. For example, macular degeneration is a common illness that can affect older people. This disease occurs when the macular tissue in front of the retina thins and is coloured by pigments. The pigments prevent light from reaching the retina, resulting in a dark spot in the centre of your vision.
Medication side-effects
As you age, you may be prescribed medication to treat physical or mental health problems. Unfortunately, some medications can affect how the eye operates, resulting in blurred or poor vision.
Old glasses and contact lenses
If it has been some time since you were fitted with prescription glasses or contact lenses, you may find that they are no longer as effective as they used to be. This is often a result of the lens changing shape as you age. An eye doctor can reassess your eyes before issuing you with a new set of prescription glasses or contacts.
A job which requires a high level of vision-related activity
If you read a lot of documents or if your job involves using your eyes a lot while working as a graphic artist or jewellery repair person, it is possible you will wear the lenses inside your eyes out. While it is highly unlikely you will lose your sight, you may find that tired lenses which have been used a lot for many years struggle to focus clearly on objects.
What is the next step?
If you notice that you are experiencing difficulties with any aspect of your vision, you should book an appointment with an optometrist. The doctor will carry out a full assessment of your vision. Once the issue has been addressed, your optometrist will perform treatments that help to restore your vision. Treatments can range from fitting you with prescription glasses to address long- or short-sightedness or performing surgery to address more serious issues.
