September is Healthy Aging Month, and here at Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons our expert staff wanted to take this opportunity to provide our readers and patients with some insight into how aging affects vision, the types of vision conditions that are common with aging, and how to protect your vision as you age.
Aging is a progression that affects every single part of our lives, from the performance of our bodies to the health of our eyes. Just like the muscles throughout the body can deteriorate and weaken, so too can the muscles within the eye. And while a few eye conditions are simply a part of aging, there are things that you can do to protect your vision.
Age-Related Changes
There is a high probability that you will need reading glasses as you age, and that driving at night will become exceedingly difficult, but these are normal age-related changes.
Presbyopia: For many individuals, as they grow past the age of 40 they will notice that it is difficult to focus on words and objects close up. This is a perfectly normal affinity, and can be corrected with reading glasses. Over time, the eyes lose the ability to accommodate to focus on close images.
Prevention: While there is no proven strategy to prevent presbyopia from occurring, you should wear sunglasses, eat a healthy diet containing antioxidants and beta carotene, and use good lighting when reading. A diagnosis of presbyopia might be inevitable, but if you maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep your eyes protected, you might be able to increase those healthy eye years.
Cataracts: According to the Mayo Clinic, nearly half of all U.S. adults over the age of 65 have some degree of cataract. As you age, that percentage increases exponentially.
Prevention: Just as with presbyopia, there is no proven method to preventing cataracts as you age. But, there are some changes that you can make to your lifestyle to give your eyes the best chance to avoid cataracts. These include wearing sunglasses, not smoking, reducing alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration: According to the National Eye Institute, macular degeneration affects more than 1.75 million people in the U.S. It is also the leading cause of irreversible vision loss among the elderly. It occurs when the central portion of the retina literally deteriorates.
Prevention: Just as with prevention for cataracts and presbyopia, a healthy lifestyle as you age can help prevent a variety of vision conditions. Quit smoking, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, wear sunglasses, and have regular eye exams performed by the expert team at Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons.
Glaucoma: As you age, your risk for glaucoma increases from around 1 percent at 40 years old to about 12 percent at 80 years old. Glaucoma is caused by increased pressure which causes damage to the optic nerve, which can result in vision loss. Glaucoma, much like cataracts, will eventually need surgery to prevent vision loss.
Prevention: Early detection is the best prevention when it comes to glaucoma. Be sure to schedule eye exams with a professional experienced in glaucoma like the physicians here at Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons. Glaucoma cannot necessarily be prevented, but instances of glaucoma caused by blunt trauma can be prevented with proper eye protection while using power tools or playing sports.
Of all the eye conditions that can occur as you age, by leading a healthy lifestyle with exercise, a healthy diet, sunglasses and the correct light for reading, you can keep your eyes healthy and your vision strong. If you are over 40 and have not had an annual eye exam, make one today. Early detection is key to managing many of these age-related eye conditions.