Unfortunately, as we age our eyes and vision change just like the rest of our body. It is vital to keep up with your vision health to detect eye disease and help prevent blindness. As we get older, we are more at risk for eye diseases including cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye, corneal disorders, and retinal disorders. [Read more…] about Your Aging Eyes
Our eyelids act like windshield wipers whenever we blink, cleaning the front surface of our eyes. Our tears are like windshield wiper fluid. They are essential for lubricating and cleaning our eyes. Unfortunately, as we age our production of tears begins to decline.
Seniors are likely to develop a condition known as “dry eyes”. As tear production declines you may start experiencing eye irritation, redness, mucous in your eyes, blurry vision, and light sensitivity. This condition is more common in older women than men, particularly after menopause.
There are some simple remedies that can help dry eyes. You can use over the counter eye drops and increase the humidity in your home. Wear sunglasses when you go outside. It is important to protect your eyes from the wind as well as the sun. Keep yourself hydrated and try to decrease your screen time.
If lifestyle adjustments don’t resolve the problem, it is time visit one of our ophthalmologists. The symptoms of dry eye can be caused by other, more serious, vision problems. It’s important to get a thorough vision exam if you are experiencing ongoing dry eyes that don’t respond to home remedies.
If your visit reveals that your symptoms are related to dry eyes, your doctor can prescribe medications or treatments that will manage the condition. You don’t have to struggle with irritated eyes and blurry vision. If lifestyle adjustments aren’t working for you, schedule an exam at Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. We will screen you for more serious conditions, test your tear production, and find a solution that will make you comfortable.
Alan Spigelman, M.D. discusses his ophthalmology practice, specifically addressing issues that we face as we are gracefully greying. Dr. Spigelman, a specialist in refractive surgery, shows a model of the eye, as he explains cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and dry eyes. He also provides tips and recommendations about how to take care of our eyes as we age.
When you think of aging, you probably envision gray hair and wrinkled skin. Our eyes also change as we get older. Most people report a gradual decline in vision. It’s important to note that if you experience a sudden change in eyesight, you should contact your Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey ophthalmologist right away. This is most likely not caused by natural aging and could indicate a problem or injury.
Vision Changes at Age 40
You may be surprised to learn that many people experience a change in their vision as early as age 40. During this period, it may become more difficult to look at objects that are close to you.
This is called presbyopia. It occurs due to a hardening of the lens within the eye. You can adjust by holding objects or reading material further away. There will eventually come a point where you will need glasses or contacts to compensate.
Vision Changes at Age 50
Presbyopia will continue to worsen as you enter your 50s. The change may happen a little quicker, which means that you will have to change your contact or glasses prescription more frequently. Some people find that a single prescription is no longer effective for general use and may need one for daily tasks and another for specific tasks like reading or using a computer.
Common Age-Related Eye Changes
Along with a decline in vision strength, many people also experience other age-related changes, including:
If you have questions about eye aging, notice changes in your vision, or are due for your routine comprehensive eye exam, contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey Michigan’s Leading Eye Care Physicians to schedule an appointment today.
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We all know that as we age our bodies change drastically. Over time, our skin loses its elasticity, hearing begins to decline, hair greys and thins, organ function declines, bones and joints become brittle and stiff and many other physical elements change both externally and internally. It’s easy to see when a person is aging from the outside, but what about the changes we can’t necessarily see or feel, like those that take place in the eyes?
Unbeknownst to most people, our eyes actually begin a process of change fairly early on in adulthood. Similarly to other organs, the eyes tend to peak in function around age 30 before beginning a slow and gradual decline into old age. Physically, the lenses of the eyes tend to stiffen and become denser, making it more difficult to see in low light situations or focus like they used to. The muscles of the pupil react more slowly to changes in exposure, and the nerve cells of the eye deteriorate and decrease in number. The eye also tends to produce less fluid as a person ages, sometimes leading to irritation and dryness.
Generally, most people begin to notice these changes to their eyes as their vision becomes slightly less clear over time. Often, people find themselves requiring more light than usual, having more difficulty distinguishing colors, or struggling to read text close up (often leading them to reach for “readers”).
If you have noticed similar vision changes and suspect that you need special care for your aging eyes, it is important to enlist the help of a professional ophthalmologist. Your ophthalmologist will give your eyes a full examination and help you improve your vision to support long-term eye health. Contact Eye Michigan to make an appointment.
Thanksgiving is an occasion when families are often together for the first time in quite a while. This makes the holiday an opportune time to connect with aging family members to see if they have had the proper medical check-ups. Ask your loved one when they have last seen their ophthalmologist. As we grow older, our eyes age. Many diseases can be treated if caught early. Visiting your eye doctor regularly can help prevent loss of vision or blindness.
