Why Does Your Vision Get Worsen As You Age?
It is a known fact that age has a direct impact on vision, especially when the individual reaches 60s years or beyond. This weakness in vision is not always because of any disease or eye problem but most the time it is mainly because of the age factor. Cataracts are one of the most common problems seen in the people of senior age but it is not a severe problem and can be corrected with the help of simple cataract surgery.
Some of the people experience serious eye diseases that occur in senior age and can hamper the vision quality. Some of these diseases include diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration and so on. These conditions become worse with increasing age.(1)
General Age-Related Vision Changes
Presbyopia – People who have crossed 40 years of age often come across the situation when they find it difficult to focus on the object kept closer to them. The reason behind this is that with age lens present in the eyes lose its capacity to change the shape of the object. In medical terms, this condition is known as presbyopia.
Temporarily, one can deal with the problem by keeping the object slightly away. However, this is not a sure short solution and individual need to opt for reading glasses or contact lenses for overcoming this problem completely. In addition, some vision correction surgeries are also available for curing presbyopia. These surgeries are completely safe and reliable.
Cataracts – As discussed above this problem is common among people of older age groups. Hence, it is classified as a normal aging problem. As per the research conduction on cataract, people who have crossed 65 years of age suffer from some degree of cataract. With age, the percent of the problem also increases. These days, the cataract removal surgery has become so effective that it removes the cataract completely and helps in restoring vision. It is suggested that one should not ignore this problem, instead; should discuss this problem with the doctors.(1)
Major Age-Related Eye Diseases
Macular degeneration – This condition is also known as AMD i.e. age-related macular degeneration and it is one of the most common reasons for blindness in aged people. As per the report published by the National Eye Institute more than fifty percent of the aged people suffer from this eye disease. It is expected that the percentage will further increase in the future.
Glaucoma – As the individual crosses forty years of age, the possibility of developing glaucoma increases with every passing age. In the initial stage, the risk is one percent but as the age increases the risk also increases up to approximately twelve percent.
Diabetic Retinopathy – As the name suggests this eye related problem is directly linked with diabetes. People who cross forty or fifty years of age are highly prone to develop diabetes and further the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. This is a serious eye disease and leads to partial or complete loss of vision.(1)
Other Age-Based Eye Changes
Dry Eyes – As the age increases the capability of eyes for producing tears or lubrication decreases. This condition is known as dry eyes, the problem is commonly seen in women who have reached menopause. People suffering from this problem are advised to use artificial eye lubricant as eye drops. Individuals experiencing a burning sensation, itching or any other discomfort in the eyes should immediately visit an eye specialist for a checkup.
Loss Of Color Vision – Sensitivity of retina cells responsible for color differentiation decreases with age. This makes it difficult to notice the difference between brightness and contrasts of different colors. People suffering from this eye problem often see faded colors. At times, this faded vision can also be due to cataract, so one should visit the doctor to know about the right problem they are experiencing.
In any case, it is highly recommended to consult the doctor and start with the treatment at the right time to get relief from the problem.(1)
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- 11 Signs of Worsening Eye Vision
- What is Computer Vision Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention
- What is the Requirement to Get Disability for Vision?