3 minute read
Surprising Ways Vision May Start To Change After 40
By Jane Therrien OD, FIAOMC, Optometric Physician
Regular visits with
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an optometrist can help protect vision as people age.
Turning the big 4-0 can be an exciting milestone — a year that, for many people, signifies transformation and transition. It is also a time when many will begin to notice slight changes in their vision which can progress over time. Sound familiar? If so, you aren’t alone. Actually, the decline in your near vision has been happening gradually since childhood and only now are you beginning to "see" the difference. Just like your body, your eyes and vision change over time. While not everyone will experience the same symptoms, you may start noticing some common age-related vision changes, including the need for more light, problems with glare, changes in color perception, and reduced tear production.
potential warning signs of age-related eye health problems that could be more serious and cause vision loss. While these problems might seem minor in the moment, they may be a sign of larger issues such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and more. These can include: ▸ Fluctuating vision. Frequent changes in how clearly you can see maybe a sign of diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure).
These chronic conditions can damage tiny blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. ▸ Seeing floaters and flashes. Occasionally, you may see spots or floaters in your eyes.
In most cases, these are shadowy images of particles floating in the fluid that fills the inside of the eye. Although they can be bothersome, spots and floaters typically don't harm vision. But if you suddenly see more floaters than usual, along with bright, flashing lights, see your doctor of optometry immediately to prevent serious loss of vision. ▸ Loss of side vision. Losing peripheral or side vision may be a sign of glaucoma.
Glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve is damaged and no longer transmits all visual images to the brain. It often has no symptoms until damage to your vision has begun. ▸ Seeing distorted images. Straight lines that appear distorted or wavy or an empty area in the center of your vision could be signs of
AMD. The disease affects the macula, which is the part of your retina that is responsible for central vision and causes a blind spot in the middle of your field of vision. Fortunately, wise lifestyle choices, following a healthy diet, and early detection of any issues through annual eye exams, can significantly improve your chances of maintaining good eye health and vision as you age. ▸ Weston Famly Eyecare is located in Davie at 4472 Weston Road. For a consultation or more information, call 954-888-9393. Dr. Therrien and her staff look forward to exceeding your expectations. www.westonfamilyeyecare.com
As you age, you may need to hold reading materials farther away to see them clearly or if you are nearsighted, you might need to remove your glasses to see better up close. Print in the newspaper or on a restaurant menu may appear blurred, especially under dim lighting. Losing this focusing ability for near vision, called presbyopia, is a natural part of the aging process and occurs because the lens inside the eye becomes less flexible. This flexibility allows the eye to change focus from objects that are far away to objects that are close. As you continue to age, presbyopia becomes more advanced. You may notice that you need to change your eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions more frequently than you used to. While presbyopia can’t be prevented or cured, with the proper vision correction and treatment, most people regain clear, comfortable near vision for all of their lifestyle needs. During these years, annual visits to your doctor of optometry for comprehensive eye exams are essential to check for developing eye and vision problems. Don't rely on the limited driver's license vision test or other insufficient vision screenings to determine if something’s wrong. Remember that only regular, ongoing eye care with your optometrist can protect and preserve your vision. That’s because many eye diseases have no early symptoms. They may develop painlessly, and you may not notice the changes to your vision until the condition is quite advanced. Changes in your focusing ability are pretty normal, but you still should be on the lookout for
