magic bullets to prevent age related visual changes. Despite heeding dire parental warnings about
not reading with a flashlight or not sitting too close to the television, visual
changes are going to happen. Brent
Agin, M.D. in “Healthy Aging for Dummies,” reminds us that vision changes are
inevitable as we age. There are no real
cures, but modern technology gives us hope and gives us tools to help us
compensate. Some people have good vision
well into their 70s and 80s but most
people can expect some impairment.
You are probably already
experiencing some presbyopia. Many jokes have been coined about older people
having to hold newspapers at arms length, but I find “funny” reference less
humorous as time goes on. Presbyopia
means that you have difficulty reading or performing other tasks that involve
things that are near-by. You will most
likely need glasses even if your vision has been perfect up until now. Eventually you may graduate to bifocals or
trifocals, or opt for surgical intervention, but regular visits to your eye doctor are in order.
Seeing an eye doctor at
regular intervals will help you recognize eye problems early and decrease
further damage. Never ignore visual changes or figure that they are
normal signs of aging. Your eyes are too
important. Beginning at 65 you need to
see your eye doctor every 1-2 years unless asked to come in more often.
Vision examinations are
important as they are closely related to your overall health. Studies
show, as discussed in the October 15, 2009 issue of Ophthalmology Times, that
VSP doctors are often the first to detect early symptoms of chronic
conditions. Through the eyes, a doctor
can see blood vessels that reveal a lot about what is going on in the body.
A number of diseases do
cause vision changes. Never assume that
changes in your vision are inevitable and unpreventable until seen by your
doctor. Many diseases can be treated and
the damage to your vision can be diminished or halted. Report any changes in your vision to your
doctor immediately. Take care of your
eyes above all things.
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