Ageing causes changes in every aspect of our bodies, including the eyes. Often, the impact on your vision starts off minor, with subtle tweaks to your eyeglass prescription usually sufficient to correct the issue. However, these age-related vision changes can become more severe as the years unfold, affecting your eye health. Let us explore the challenges associated with ageing eyes and discuss practical steps to maintain optimal eye health.
How does ageing affect your eyesight?
The following age-related eye problems are especially prevalent as we age.
1. Presbyopia
Presbyopia is a common age-related vision condition that hardens the lens inside your eye, affecting your ability to focus on close objects. As the eye’s lens becomes less flexible, you will need your prescription glasses more often when reading or performing tasks requiring up-close vision.
2. Dry eyes
Changes pertaining to ageing can not only affect your vision. They can cause your eyes to become drier. As a result, you may notice irritation, redness, and eyestrain occurring more frequently whenever you use the computer or read a book. Eye specialists often recommend lubricating eye drops to help relieve these symptoms.
3. Floaters
As you grow older, you may notice tiny pieces of string floating across your field of vision. These tiny specks are called ‘floaters’ and can occur when the vitreous, a gel-like substance inside your eye, begins to shrink. When this happens, the vitreous sheds small strands, causing them to float back and forth across your visual field.
While floaters are generally harmless, an increase in floaters may indicate underlying eye issues, especially if they are accompanied by flashing lights. Please consult an eye specialist as soon as possible if you encounter such symptoms, as they are a sign of vitreous or retinal detachment.
4. Cataracts
Cataracts form when the lens at the centre of your eye becomes cloudy. As it continues to develop, it can become large enough to interfere with your eyesight, causing you to encounter blurring vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty seeing at night. When this happens, an eye specialist will recommend cataract surgery to replace the cloudy lens with an artificial one.
5. Age-related macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the macula, the area of your retina controlling central vision. Symptoms include blank spots in your central vision and your central vision becoming blurry. Those with AMD often find it challenging to read, drive, or recognise faces.
There are two forms of macular degeneration – dry and wet. Eye specialists will recommend different AMD prevention strategies depending on the diagnosis. Those with the former may be recommended anti-oxidant supplements. Meanwhile, preventing blood vessels in the macula from leaking is the goal of treatment for the latter.
Learn More: Dry vs Wet Macular Degeneration
6. Diabetic retinopathy
Seniors with diabetes must take precautions and be aware of the signs of diabetic retinopathy, which include blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, and dark spots in the central vision. Effective diabetic retinopathy management is crucial to prevent damage to the blood vessels in the retina, as this complication can cause permanent blindness if left untreated.
7. Glaucoma
Glaucoma occurs when the pressure in your eye is too high, resulting in damage to the optic nerve and even permanent vision loss. In most cases, patients do not display any initial symptoms. Furthermore, the risk of glaucoma increases with age. Therefore, glaucoma awareness is imperative to help preserve your vision. Fortunately, this condition can be detected with a simple test at an eye specialist clinic in Singapore.
8. Changes to peripheral vision
Even those who strive to preserve their eye health will notice their peripheral vision decreasing with age. The decline can be as drastic as twenty to thirty degrees when you reach your 70s or 80s, making it challenging to be aware of your surroundings and perform various tasks, including driving. Although there is nothing you can do about the peripheral vision changes, you should still be mindful of your new limitations.
How can you prevent age-related eye problems?
Are you concerned about your vision declining with age? While it is true that various eye problems and diseases become more prevalent as you grow older, many can still be minimised or corrected by taking appropriate preventive measures.
1. Visit an eye specialist clinic yearly
Schedule a comprehensive examination with an eye specialist clinic yearly. These regular eye check-ups are essential for detecting and addressing age-related eye conditions early. During the eye exam, you can expect your eye doctor to dilate your eyes to look for changes in your retina, macula, and optic nerve. They may also recommend changes to your eyeglass or contact lens prescription.
2. Consult your family doctor
While your family physician may not specialise in optometry, you should still consult them regularly to check for diseases that could cause eye problems. Specific health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, can damage your eyes if left undiagnosed and untreated.
3. Wear sunglasses
Prolonged UV light exposure can contribute to cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and other eye issues. Fortunately, wearing sunglasses that block 100% of UV-A and UV-B rays can protect your eyes from sun-related damage in addition to the glare.
As we age gracefully, the need to take a proactive approach to our eye health becomes increasingly essential. So, we recommend consulting an eye specialist regularly even if you have yet to encounter any age-related sight condition. Doing so can help you maintain your vision, ensuring optimum eye health.
If you encounter persistent blurry vision or any vision problem, please consult our eye doctor at Nova Eye Centre as soon as possible. With over two decades of clinical experience, Dr Eugene Tay offers a wide range of eye care services. Contact our eye centre to schedule an appointment with us today.