Some changes are normal with aging, but other changes can be a sign of something far more serious that, if left untreated, can result in long-term permanent damage such as complete vision loss. This is why it’s so important to recognize what vision changes are normal as we age, and which aren’t.
Normal vision changes as we age include:
- Losing focus, difficulty focusing on close-up objects
- Difficulties distinguishing colors or to determine where an object ends and the background starts
- Requiring more light to see objects or text, and taking longer for the eyes to adjust when entering different areas wither brighter or dimmer light
These changes, although annoying, are not something to worry about and can often be corrected with prescription lenses.
What is not normal is vision loss, so if your ability to see has deteriorated, this is something far more serious and requires special attention.
There are many age-related eye conditions that can increase your risk of vision loss if not attended to, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.
Many of these conditions can begin with a slow onset and minimal symptoms. When symptoms do present themselves, the eye disease may have progressed far enough to cause long-term damage and possible vision loss. This is why it’s so important that you undergo routine eye exams.
Aside from undergoing eye exams, other ways you can protect your eyes include not smoking, maintaining healthy blood pressure, controlling diabetes and blood sugar levels, wearing sunglasses or a large brimmed hat to protect your eyes from the sun, eating a diet high in dark leafy greens, wearing protective eyewear at work or during sports, and reducing your risk of eye strain by avoiding long-term staring, especially at computer screens.
Also read:
- How to improve vision: 11 home remedies to improve eye health
- Natural ways to improve night vision (night blindness)
- Visual snow: Why there is snow or television-like static in your vision?