Your Eyes After 40
- Posted on: Jan 15 2016
After you enter your 40’s, you may notice changes in your vision. Here’s a look at the types of conditions you may experience as you enter this stage of your life:
- Presbyopia. You may start to have difficulty focusing on objects up close, including when you read or work at your computer. This is called presbyopia, a hardening of the lens in the eye. This is a normal change in your vision that doesn’t indicate any sort of disease. However, presbyopia will progress with time, warranting the need for vision correction at some point.
- Cataracts. This condition is considered an age-related disease, although it’s so prevalent that it can almost be classified as a normal aging change. Extremely common in seniors, cataracts is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. Thankfully, this condition can be corrected with surgery, which is extremely safe and effective. In fact, usually all of the vision lost due to cataract can be restored.
Serious Eye-Related Diseases
After age 40, some of us may develop more serious eye diseases that can have lasting effects as we continue to age:
- Macular Degeneration. Also referred to as age-related macular degeneration or AMD, macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss, affecting nearly 2 million Americans. AMD occurs when the central part of the retina (called the macula) begins to deteriorate. The macula is responsible for focusing central vision in the eye, controlling our ability to recognize faces and colors, drive a car or read. There is no cure for macular degeneration, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk, including exercise, smoking cessation, UV protection and changes to your diet.
- Glaucoma. This disease causes damage to the optic nerve, which transports information from the eye to the brain. It have very few or sometimes no initial symptoms, meaning many people with glaucoma don’t even know they have it. After age 40, your risk of developing glaucoma goes up with each decade. It’s important to schedule regular eye exams so steps can be taken to prevent vision loss. During your visit, your eye doctor will use a tonometer to measure your intraocular pressure by sending a puff of air onto your eye’s surface. If left untreated, glaucoma initially causes peripheral vision loss and can eventually lead to blindness.
Want to Learn More About Keeping Your Eyes Healthy?
For more information about eye health, and any of our other treatments and services, contact Dr. Giyaur today to book your appointment. We are conveniently located in Brooklyn and can be reached us here or by calling 718-676-6464.
Tagged with: cataract exam, cataract surgery, eye care, eye exam, eye surgery, flying spots, get rid of glasses, reading glasses, youthful vision
Posted in: Brooklyn Cataracts, Brooklyn Eye Care, Common Eye Conditions, Comprehensive Eye Exam, Glaucoma, Presbyopia, Vision Correction
