WANT HEALTHY EYES?
WHAT TO KNOW AT 40 AND BEYOND Kelly Bilodeau, Harvard Health Blog
DID THE PRINT ON THAT LABEL SUDDENLY SHRINK? IF YOU’RE IN YOUR 40S OR BEYOND, YOU MAY HAVE ASKED YOURSELF THAT QUESTION AS YOU STRUGGLED TO READ SOMETHING THAT YOU USED TO BE ABLE TO SEE CLEARLY WITH NO PROBLEM. Blame your aging eyes. Much like our joints, our eyes undergo age-related changes. While eye problems can affect people of any age, some conditions become more common after age 40.
GETTING OLDER? THREE COMMON EYE CONDITIONS PRESBYOPIA. The lens of the eye gets stiffer with age, which makes it harder to focus on objects nearby — hence your label-reading struggles. Many people find satisfaction with inexpensive reading glasses, but once you need them, it’s time for a midlife vision check-up. CATARACTS. Another common condition that can crop up as you age is cataracts, a clouding of the lens of your eye that can impair vision. Cataracts affect about half of people ages 65 to 74. Treatment typically involves
10 SENIOR LIVING IN ALASKA • MARCH 2022
an outpatient surgical procedure to replaces the clouded lens. DRY EYE SYNDROME. This condition affects more than 15 million adults in the United States, and occurs due to a reduction in tear production. With less natural lubrication your eyes can become irritated, sticky, or you may feel a burning or scratchy sensation in the eye. Depending on severity, symptoms can be treated using eye drops that simulate your natural tears, a topical prescription drug, or a device to increase tear production.
ADDITIONAL EYE CONDITIONS THAT MAY OCCUR WITH AGE OR ILLNESS POSTERIOR VITREOUS DETACHMENT (PVD). Signs of this condition include visual disruptions, such as seeing light streaks, floaters, or a cobweb-like haze. These occur because the jelly-like substance called vitreous in the eye starts to liquefy and shrink, causing it tug on the retina. Call your medical team right away if you notice these signs. While most people experiencing PVD won’t need
