While a huge number of today’s population need the help of glasses or contact lenses to improve their sight, it’s almost inevitable that vision will deteriorate with age. It’s estimated that once we reach early-mid 40s, quality of sight will naturally decrease and unless you’re incredibly lucky, it’s likely to happen to almost all of us as we age.
However, while this process is considered natural, we’re certainly not doomed to a retirement without sight. There are multiple procedures and treatments that can be done to both prevent and rectify this process, meaning you’ll likely still have sight until the end of your days even if you’ve already noticed deterioration! So, to learn more about why your vision changes as you grow older and how to help slow it down, here are some pointers.
Why does eyesight deteriorate?
As we age, the surface of our eyes’ cornea (the entry point for light which enables us to see) can become damaged. For optimum vision, the cornea’s surface must be completely smooth but conditions such as eye inflammation, which are very common as we get older, can damage this fragile surface and impair vision.
Our lenses are also subject to deterioration too. At birth, our lenses are perfectly clear and are able to auto-focus so we can see both close and faraway images easily. But as we get older, the lens can become ‘cloudy’ – this is known as a cataract and, if not treated, can result in seriously distorted vision.
Treatment options
As cataracts are perhaps the most popular reason for why vision deteriorates with age, there’s luckily some very successful treatment options for this condition.
An affected lens can be removed and simply replaced with an artificial one. This new lens won’t be ‘cloudy’ and will have almost the exact same clarity as the lens of a new-born able to produce crystal clear images!
Prices are likely to significantly differ with regard to this treatment so, if you think you may be suffering from cataracts, looking at a table of average lens replacement surgery prices will give you a better idea of what to expect.
What you can do
While professional treatment is often the best method of correcting and preventing deterioration, there are certainly some self-help methods you can implement yourself.
Eating a diet rich in vitamins and minerals such as E, A and C will work towards improving eye health. And, performing simple eye exercises such as rolling your eyes in different directions (as long as this doesn’t cause pain) and massaging your eyelids will make your eyes feel more comfortable if you’re experiencing inflammation.
We’d all like to have perfect vision throughout our lives but, as we get older, this simply isn’t realistic. But as long as you accept the naturally-occurring sight deterioration you may be experiencing and investigate your treatment options, you’ll be prepared and ready to work towards both improving and preventing further sight decline.
Why Vision Changes with Age and How to Slow It Down
Why Vision Changes with Age and How to Slow It Down Why Vision Changes with Age and How to Slow It Down Why Vision Changes with Age and How to Slow It Down Why Vision Changes with Age and How to Slow It Down Why Vision Changes with Age and How to Slow It Down Why Vision Changes with Age and How to Slow It Down