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Even if you had perfect eyesight while you were young, certain eye care issues are common as you age. Knowing what to expect will help you be vigilant about addressing problems early. Here’s a closer look at the most common eye health problems that develop during the golden years—and what you can do to prevent them.

Common Eye Issues for Seniors 

Many seniors have difficulty seeing or reading from a normal distance—or even up close when the objects or print is small. Known as presbyopia, this form of farsightedness is generally treated by wearing glasses.

You may also find your vision blocked or hampered by excessive tears or floating specks. The former issue is usually caused by sensitivity to wind or dust and can be resolved with sunglasses or eye drops. However, the latter sometimes indicates retinal detachment, which warrants an urgent visit to an eye doctor. 

There’s also the possibility of developing cataracts, glaucoma, or corneal disease. In some cases, these conditions don’t require any extraordinary eye care techniques to treat, although medical eye drops could be prescribed for glaucoma or corneal problems.

However, serious cases may necessitate eye surgery. Perhaps the most worrisome issue is retinal disorders, which come in a variety of forms and can lead to blindness without intervention from optometrists.

How to Protect Your Eyes As You Age 

eye careMake sure you visit an eye doctor for a checkup at least once or twice a year. That way, they’re more likely to catch symptoms of a serious problem before it becomes difficult or impossible to treat without surgery.

If you need them, wear glasses or contact lenses regularly so you don’t have to strain your eyes to see. Straining will only make your vision worse on top of giving you headaches. If you experience severe eye pain, abrupt blurriness, doubles, or flashes of light, see an optometrist right away. The same advice applies if your eyelids swell and get crusted with mucus consistently.

By exercising regularly and eating healthily, you can fight or prevent diabetes, making you less likely to develop retinal disorders. Avoiding smoke, wearing sunglasses, and consuming food with antioxidants also reduce your risk of getting cataracts. Lastly, don’t spend more time on computers than necessary so that your eyes can have a break. 

 

For professional eye care help as you age, visit Midwest Eye Center: A Division of TriState Centers for Sight in Crestview Hills, KY. Serving northern Kentucky and the greater Cincinnati area for more than 30 years, the staff has extensive experience and knowledge in successfully treating a wide variety of eye conditions. Whether you simply need to update your prescription or get LASIK surgery, the clinic is committed to your health and satisfaction. To learn more about the practice, call the office today at (859) 331-5600 or visit the website

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