Getting older involves lots of changes, including changes in our vision. For many people, blurriness during close-up tasks, like reading or using a computer, is one of the first age-related vision changes to occur.
While it’s annoying and maybe even a little alarming, especially if you’ve never worn glasses or contacts before, in most cases this blurriness is due to a benign condition called presbyopia — typically easily managed with reading glasses.
Sometimes, though, blurry vision is due to something more serious — and knowing how to tell the difference is critical for making sure you get the treatment you need as early as possible.
At Long Island Ophthalmic Concepts, our team is dedicated to helping patients enjoy the clearest vision possible throughout every stage of life. Here, we help you understand midlife vision changes and explain why regular eye exams are so important for maintaining optimal eye health as you get older.
Even though presbyopia is common, many people don’t know why it happens. To understand presbyopia, it’s important to know a bit about basic eye anatomy and how subtle, age-related changes can affect how your eye “works.”
Your eyes contain clear lenses located behind each pupil. These lenses flex and bend to help focus light on the retina at the back of your eye, providing you with clear, crisp images. As we age, though, our lenses stiffen and become less flexible, making it harder to focus on close objects and close-up tasks, even though our distance vision may remain unchanged.
While presbyopia is benign, there’s no denying it can be annoying and take a toll on your overall quality of life. Without treatment, changes in focusing can lead to eye strain and headaches, as well.
Fortunately, presbyopia usually can be managed with reading glasses or, if you already use corrective lenses, bifocals or progressive lenses. These options give your eyes the added support they need to maintain clear, crisp vision at every distance.
Presbyopia affects most of us — about 90% of people over age 45 will experience at least some of its effects. That said, it’s not the only vision issue that becomes more common as we enter our middle years. Several other conditions can affect visual clarity during this stage of life, as well.
Dry eye syndrome is another problem that tends to become more common as we get older, causing intermittent blurriness, burning or itching sensations, and excessive tearing. Most dry eye symptoms can be treated with artificial tears or other medications combined with a few simple lifestyle changes. Proactive treatment is important for protecting your eyes and reducing your risk of infections or corneal damage.
Other vision changes can be caused by more serious eye issues or general health issues, like diabetes or high blood pressure, two chronic conditions that become more common (or worsen) with age. Glaucoma, cataracts, and some retinal conditions can also affect vision — and each requires prompt treatment to prevent further vision loss.
Eye exams play a critical role at every stage of life, but they’re especially important during midlife, a time when age-related changes begin to ramp up. By making regular exams part of your healthcare routine, we can help you make important lifestyle changes that, in turn, play a critical role in preventing future vision complications.
Regular exams play a critical role in spotting underlying problems early, when treatment is often much simpler and more effective. They’re also important for making sure your current prescription stays up to date or, for non-glasses-wearers, to make sure you get the right lenses to maintain crisp, clear vision and avoid eye strain.
Presbyopia is a very common cause of vision issues after age 40, but it’s not the only cause of vision problems. Having an eye exam is the best way to ensure your eyes receive the treatment they need to maintain optimal vision now and in the future.
To schedule your exam, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Long Island Ophthalmic Concepts in Bellmore and Great Neck, New York, today.
