As you age, it is common to experience changes in your vision and eye health. Studies show that more than a quarter of all Americans over 40 experience age-related loss of vision. Aging eyes can impact your daily routine and result in other issues too. There is growing evidence that eyesight issues can lead to cognitive decline, anxiety, and depression.

What Happens as Your Eyes Age?

To know what you can do as your eyes continue aging, you must understand what happens to your vision during this period. Over time, your eyes will experience physical changes that may affect proper function, such as:
 

• Discoloration of the lens. It affects how your eye processes light.
• Decline in tear production that leads to dry eyes.
• Decreased lens flexibility, affecting your ability to switch from near to far focus.
• Weakening of the muscle that controls the size of your pupil and your eye’s reaction to light.

Typically, these changes begin when you are about 40. It affects the ability of your eye to focus, which is a natural progression known as presbyopia. It also makes it difficult to see nearby objects clearly.

Taking Care of Your Eyes as You Age

Most age-related vision issues nowadays are treatable with outpatient surgery or medicine.

Regular Eye Exams

The best way to treat your aging eyes is by catching problems early through regular eye exams. This way, you can mitigate or halt the effects of age-related vision conditions. If you are above 55 years old, you should get an eye exam at least once every one to three years. On the other hand, people over 65 should get an eye exam every year.

Dilated Eye Exams

In addition to regular eye exams, the National Eye Institute recommends that you get dilated eye exams if you suffer from high blood pressure or diabetes. You also need the exams if you are experiencing vision loss or have a family history of glaucoma.

Diet and Lifestyle Choices

As you age, you will have to make a few changes to your diet and lifestyle for optimal eye health. This will determine how your long-term eye health turns out.

Wear Sunglasses

Wearing sunglasses helps protect your eyes from exposure to harmful UV rays. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can damage your cornea and lens. They are also harmful to your eye’s tissues, increasing the risk of developing cataracts and other eye problems.

Quit Smoking

Research shows smoking increases the risk of eye issues such as cataracts and age-related macular disease. The risk of contracting diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma also decreases when you quit smoking.

Eat Healthily

Studies show a healthy diet can stop the progression of conditions like age-related macular degeneration. Eat foods that are rich in:

• Zeaxanthin and lutein.
• Minerals like zinc, vitamins A, C, and E.
• Antioxidant vitamins.
• Omega-3 fatty acids.

In addition to eating healthy and changing your lifestyle, exercising is also beneficial for your aging eyes. It mitigates the risk of age-related eye diseases.

For more on how to treat your aging eyes, call Clarity Vision at (919) 367-2832 to reach our office in Apex, North Carolina.