Aging Changes People Experience With Their Eyes
With aging, there are many changes related to the vision and eye health, experienced by people. Some of these changes can be vision threatening. That is why, if regular detailed eye checks up done after 40 years, the loss of vision can be prevented, as it also affects the quality of life in aged people.
These are common signs of aging eyes-
Reading problem
At the age of around 40 years, the natural lens’s ability to focus near object diminishes, as the natural lens start becoming rigid. People start feeling difficulty in reading, sewing, computer work etc. This condition is known as Presbyopia. The Presbyopia is corrected by giving reading glasses (Plus/Convex lenses). With aging, the Presbyopia keeps on increasing every couple of years and cannot be stopped or prevented.
Dry eyes
Dry eye is very common problem faced by all generations but more in old ages. Women experience it more especially with aging (Pre- and Post-Menopause). Dry eyes is a complex disease, where person have discomfort in the eyes by different ways or disturbances in quality of vision. Most of the time, it is more of symptoms rather then signs. Generally, it is because of evaporation of tear film or unhealthy tear film because of unhealthy lid margins or reduced production of tear film. Dry eyes are corrected by using Lubricating Eye Drops. If it doesn’t resolve then, it is better to consult Ophthalmologist.
Lid Margin problems/Blepharitis and associated issues
Blepharitis is the lid margin inflammation because of seborrheic skin. Many times, it is due to hormonal changes as we age. In this condition, the lid margin thickens which can lead to irregular margins, sometimes crusty formation at eyelashes. It will cause itchy or soar eye, sometimes red and swollen eyes. Lid margin problems are very common cause of dryness in the old age which can lead to continuous discomfort in the eye, watery eye and disturbance in quality vision. It requires thorough eye examination and little long term medical management.
Difficulty in Night vision
Studies have suggested that the eyes’ rod cells, which are responsible for low light vision, weaken with age. Because of this, with ageing, people experience that their eyes now take longer time to adjust and focus in the dark. This led to little difficulties in driving during night or in poor weather. That is why old people are advised to limit their driving during night time.
Glare
With aging, the eye can experience glare/sensitivity to light, because of change of sphericity of natural lens inside the eye. To make yourself comfortable, sunglasses or wide-brimmed hat is recommended while outdoors. Also, indoor light should be adjusted.
Objects blending into backgrounds
With aging, there is decreased or loss of contrast sensitivity. This can lead to difficulty in distinguishing objects from similar backgrounds and colours.
Black spots/Floaters in front of the eyes
Few people experience black spots or thread moving in front of the eyes, which is known as floaters. With age, vitreous which is a thick clear jelly filling the posterior/back part of our eye, starts becoming liquid. With that, it also starts separating from the retina, some areas of the retina have thick adhesions. In this process the separating fibres get opacities. As it is liquid now, it starts floating or moving in the eye and can be seen as black thread or dots in our vision, moving in front of eyes. They are usually harmless and there is no treatment for it. But when it is noticed, detailed retina examination should be performed to rule out any retina problems.
Flashes of the light
The vitreous, which is a jelly-like substance filling the back of the eyes, start becoming liquid with age and with that it separates from the retina, causing rubbing or pulling on the retina. It will irritate retina, leading to lightening in the peripheral field of vision, which is known as flashes. Like floaters, complaint of flashes also requires detailed retina examination.
Cataract
A cataract is another age induced condition where, the natural lens inside our eye starts becoming white/cloudy, like our hair becoming white. It reduces not only vision but also quality of vision. Generally, there is no medical treatment for cataract, it is treated by surgery.
Age-related Macular Degeneration
As name suggested, Age-related Macular Degeneration affects Macula. Macula is a very important part of retina where around 80% vision is there. Some people develop degenerative changes in that area with age. Initial stages, vision is not affected but slowly patient develops disturbed or decreased vision or black spot in front of the eye. That’s why it is recommended to undergo regular detailed eye examination after the age of 40.
