Age-related vision decline is an issue many people will face. Like everything, your eyes change over time, and it’s important to understand what to anticipate. You can take steps now to preserve your vision and work with an eye doctor for the best outcome over the years.

How the Eyes Change

When you reach age 40, the lens on your eye will become less flexible. This can affect how your eyes process images over various distances. Going forward, you’ll begin to have trouble with contrast sensitivity—the eye’s ability to tell an object and its background apart.

This is because the rods in your eyes, which are responsible for processing dim light, degrade over time, usually around age 60. You may also have less tear production, which is common in women because of hormones during menopause. After age 80, expect cataracts—almost half of Americans will develop them by this time.

Age-Related Vision Issues

Presbyopia is the most common issue. You may have trouble reading small or close-up text. Usually, a pair of reading glasses from your eye doctor is all you need. Chronic dry eye can lead to irritation and discomfort, and cataracts, which are a cloudy formation on the eye’s lens, can heavily impact vision. Serious eye diseases like glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration may develop and can lead to total blindness.

How to Prevent Them

You should immediately establish a relationship with an eye doctor. They can detect vision changes early on. This is especially important if you suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, and other conditions that can affect vision. Combat contrast sensitivity by wearing tinted amber sunglasses during the day. Overall, you should wear sunglasses any time you’re outside. Hydrate to stimulate tear production, and always wear protective gear during sports and physical activities.

If you’re overdue for a visit to the eye doctor, contact Medical Eye Center. This Columbia, MD, ophthalmologist takes a holistic approach to care and addresses several eye health issues. Their staff can help treat diseases or correct common vision issues, which you can learn more about on their website. Call (410) 997-9900 to schedule an eye exam.