Your eyes are extremely complex, so it’s only natural that they experience some changes as you age. It’s common to deal with slight differences in how you see, with glasses being the usual solution. Below, you’ll find some changes to anticipate so you can fulfill your eye care needs before they impact your day-to-day life.

How Vision Changes With Age

1. It’s More Difficult to Focus

Once you reach your mid-forties, your eyes will likely have more trouble focusing, specifically on items close to you. This is called presbyopia, and it will progress as you age. Many people have to hold menus, books, newspapers, and other items further away from their face to see them. This is because the lens in your eye is less flexible than it used to be, so schedule an eye exam and ask the eye doctor about reading glasses.

2. You Need More Light & Time to Adjust

You may also require more light to see clearly or notice that it takes you longer to adjust when moving between light and dark environments. The best way to manage this is to stay in low-light settings and to have a lamp next to a reading chair or work area. Take your time when moving between drastically different environments and let your eye doctor know about any sensitivity-related discomfort.

3. Colors Aren’t as Distinguishable

As the lenses in your eyes start to discolor, you’ll have some difficulty distinguishing the shades of some colors. This is usually specific to dark blues and blacks. It can also be difficult to tell when one color ends and another begins. If you're in your late fifties or early sixties, have the eye doctor check for glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye diseases to ensure they aren’t a contributing factor.

If you’re overdue for an eye exam, turn to Graham Optical. This eye care practice is proud to serve Fort Smith and Greenwood, AR, and has provided glasses, contact lenses, and other solutions since 1964. Dr. Graham takes a personalized approach with each patient and is committed to building lasting relationships so their eye care needs are always met. Call (479) 782-6737 to schedule an eye exam and visit their website to learn more about the practice.