Taking Care of Aging Eyes

We may not be able to stop or slow down the toll of time on our eyesight, but we certainly can take better care of our aging eyes in order to continue enjoying good vision. The Lens Men - The Centrepoint optometrist Kang Hean Young shows us how.

April 23, 2008 — As we grow older, we notice all sorts of physical changes in our bodies and just as we may experience slower metabolism and more stiffness in the joints, we'll also see some evolving symptoms in our eyes.

Presbyopia or long-sightedness, the decreasing ability to see or read in near ranges clearly, is the most common eye ailment affecting older people and sets in between the ages of 40 to 50. Without corrective vision, this will lead to eye strains and momentary blurry vision as you transition between near and far viewing distances. More worrying symptoms include dryness, as tears systems become less productive and lack of clear vision in the event that cataracts are formed. The risks of macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma also increase with age, with genetics and the environment playing a role as well.

Presbyopia can be corrected with a pair of reading glasses prescribed by your optician, and for patients who also suffer from myopia (short-sightedness), progressive lenses can be prescribed to correct both vision defects in one pair of spectacles. For those who enjoy active lifestyles, a good variety of progressive contact lenses are also available.

For other eye ailments, making positive changes in your lifestyle can lower the risks of contracting these diseases. Regular activity and exercise, as well as a balanced diet, delay the effects of aging and giving up smoking and heavy drinking are preventative measures you can take to protect your eyesight and body. Increase the intake of food with omega fatty acids such as fish and antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables to slow down body degeneration and also to prevent dryness in the eyes.

If you're already experiencing these problems, there are steps you can take to prevent them from getting worse. Patients with dry eyes need to maintain good eye lid hygiene by applying lubricating drops regularly. Cataracts must be removed upon detection to prevent further damage to the eyes and eventual blindness. Diabetic patients must follow a strict diet in order to control their blood-sugar levels and prevent the onset of related illnesses, such as diabetic retinopathy, which can also lead to blindness. Patients suffering from macular degeneration and glaucoma must adhere to their medication schedule and monitor changes in their vision abilities closely.

And at the end of the day, remember to always have your eyes examined regularly, just as you would a physical or dental check-up. As with other diseases, eye ailments detected early can usually be resolved so you can continue to enjoy good vision for many more years to come!

Through June 30, 2008, The Lens Men and The Eye Site are offering 20% off Essilor's Varilux lenses for patients requiring progressive lenses, the best there is for seeing near, far and everything in between.

By Kang Hean Young, The Lens Men - The Centrepoint