What Happens to Your Eyes as You Age?

Many adults begin noticing vision changes around the age of 40. Even if you’ve had perfect vision all your life, the simple process of aging may bring about changes in your ability to see close up or far away. Often, the first symptoms include the inability to focus close-up, such as when reading or working at a computer. This is called presbyopia, and it’s a common condition that affects many adults between the ages of 40 and 60. If you notice recent changes to your vision that could be age-related, schedule an appointment with youreye doctor in Coldwater, MS, right away. There could be various conditions at play.

What Is Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is a change in the eyes’ ability to focus that is usually brought on by normal aging. The National Institutes of Health reports that nearly 80 percent of adults in North America, who are between the ages of 45 and 55, have presbyopia. This condition is caused by the hardening of the lenses in your eyes. As the lenses lose flexibility, they’re unable to change shape, or focus, to adjust to close-up objects.

What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, affects your central vision, causing blurriness. It’s a disease that affects the retina, and you may be more at risk if there’s a family history of AMD, if you smoke, and if you’re Caucasian. Early symptoms include:

• Difficulty seeing well in low light
• Seeing straight lines as wavy
• Trouble distinguishing between colors
• Blurred central vision
• Blanks spots in your vision

Adults over the age of 55 are at higher risk of developing AMD.

What is Retinopathy?

Retinopathy is a term that describes any disease of the retina. Different factors may cause retinopathy, but the most common is diabetes. Retinopathy may develop slowly, over time. Or, it may happen suddenly, causing partial or complete vision loss. Usually, retinopathy is marked by an abnormality in the blood vessels that support the retina.

Call Coldwater Vision Center Today

If you’re over the age of 40, and you’re experiencingvision changes in Coldwater, CO, call Coldwater Vision Center right away. Early intervention may be key to preserving your vision. Contact our friendly and professional representatives today.