Understanding Presbyopia
Presbyopia is an age-related long-sightedness, which affects your ability to see objects close up. It occurs when the lens loses its flexibility.
Eyesight at 60
Age-related vision symptoms
- Difficulty seeing objects up close
- Poor depth perception
- Changes in colour vibrancy
- Problems seeing in dim light
- Loss of peripheral (side) vision
- Problems driving – e.g. an inability to see road signs clearly, or slowness adapting to glare at night
Eye conditions at 60
Regular eye examinations will help identify problems as early as possible. Here are some of the conditions that typically affect people in their 60s:
Age-related long-sightedness (presbyopia)
Aged-related distant vision can mean that vision may be blurred over certain distances, and especially when looking at objects nearby. As we age so does our eyes and the lens inside the eye becomes less flexible making it difficult for us to focus on objects close up. If you notice yourself moving your phone or book further away from you into your distance vision it could be a sign of presbyopia.
Dry eyes
If you notice you regularly have dry and irritable eyes it could be due to the loss of moisture as the tear ducts in your eyes begin to depreciate with age. New treatments are now available which offer a long-lasting solution compared to eye drops.
Glaucoma
There are four types of Glaucoma; chronic open-angle, primary angle-closure, secondary and developmental. The signs and symptoms can depend on the type you have but in general, it involves the increase of pressure inside the eye which can lead to optic nerve damage.
Cataracts
Cataracts occur with age but can also happen as a result of trauma. The symptoms include blurred or cloudy vision. Although most people may recognise what a cataract looks like it can take some time for it to show on the lens of the eye and can go unnoticed for some time. Regular eye exams will pick up on it early so you can take the right actions to manage it.
AMD
The macula is a part of your retina, the part that of the eye that is responsible for your sight. Age-related macular degeneration is where your macula begins to deteriorate causing you to lose your central vision. There are two types of macular degeneration; wet and dry.
Regular eye exams
Most of us need an eye examination at least every 2 years but some will need more regular eye examinations. You should get your eyes examined at least once a year if you have a diagnosed eye condition if certain medical conditions run in your family, and if you are you are over 40. Those of African, Asian and Caribbean origin are more prone to eye diseases and hereditary problems, so they should have annual tests.
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