Read on to discover how you can deal with age related eye issues ……
As we age, we go through many changes. It’s important to be aware of how to handle those changes as they happen. Eye issues can arise at any age, but the older we get, the more our vision can weaken. Regular visits to the opticians or using eye sight tests at home is a good way to get ahead of any problems that can occur over time.
Regular Eye Tests
A vital step in keeping on top of your eye health, eye tests are not just for checking if your lenses are up-to-date. You should normally have a test every two years. However, your optometrist can advise if you need to be seen less or more often.
Eye tests pick up on a range of eye diseases and other health problems, including high blood pressure and diabetes. Regular testing is essential as many eye conditions can be treated easily if found early enough. This can sometimes be before you’re even aware of any symptoms. However, if you’re unable to leave your home for any reason, eye sight tests at home are available to help you keep up-to-date with your appointments. Opticall Eye Care can visit your home and ensure that you get the check-up you need. You don’t even need to leave the comfort of your home.
Keeping Your Eyes Healthy
As well as keeping up with regular eye tests, there are many ways to keep your eyes healthy. This can protect them from age-related degradation.
- Diet: Including plenty of vegetables and fruit in your diet may help protect against some conditions, such as cataracts, and benefit your overall health.
- Sunglasses: It’s well known that strong sunlight can cause damage to your eyes. To protect your eyes from harmful rays, wear sunglasses with a built-in UV filter.
- Smoking: Taking steps to quit smoking will reduce your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
- Lighting: As you age, you need more light to see well than you did when you were in your 20s. Increase the daylight in your home and have lighting for at night. Use direct lighting when reading, but be careful not to have the light positioned to cause glare.
- Exercise & Weight: Oxygen intake and good circulation are stimulated by movement and essential for your eye health. Keeping your weight down will reduce your risk of developing diabetes, which can lead to sight loss.
- Sleep: Getting plenty of rest is vital for your eyes to have the opportunity to clear out irritants with their natural lubricants, such as dust or smoke, which can cause damage if left in the eyes.
Common Age Related Eye Issues
As we age, we become more at risk from common issues that can arise. Knowing what to look out for can help you act to receive treatment as early as possible.
- Difficulty reading: After 45, eye muscles start to weaken, and if you begin to experience difficulty reading, it may be time to speak to your optometrist about reading glasses.
- Cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s lens is extremely common and easily picked up in an eye test.
- Macular degeneration: A disease of the retina caused by ageing. Your eye care specialist can manage the two types, of varying severity.
- Floaters: Normally harmless specks that float across your vision. If they begin to persist, it may be a sign of an underlying health condition.
- Glaucoma: Is an increase in pressure in the eye that leads to damage of the optic nerve. If this is if found early enough, it can be treated with eye drops.
