As we age, various changes naturally occur throughout the body. Among these changes are several in the eyes and regarding vision. These aging changes are not considered diseases but are rather a normal part of the aging process. Depending on the change, treatment may be needed to help return the eyes and vision to the quality it was before the changes occurred.

Aging and the Eyes

The eyes, like the rest of the body, are susceptible to damage over time from environmental factors, natural processes, and diet or medications.

The changes that are considered to be a part of the aging process will occur to some extent without any external factors or stimuli.

There are many changes that naturally occur but can be expedited or exacerbated by external factors like diet or systemic health.

Cataracts in the Lens

The most notorious aging change in the eyes is the development of cataracts. Cataracts occur when the crystalline lens inside of the eye becomes hazy or cloudy.

Cataracts are problematic because as the lens becomes cloudy, vision will get blurry, dimmer, and have more haloes or glare.

Age is the biggest factor in determining the presence of a cataract, the progression of a cataract, and the impact of a cataract on vision and daily living.

The older we get, the more likely it is to develop a cataract or have one progress, therefore the more likely it is to have a cataract that impacts vision.

Cataracts are thought to develop due to damage to the crystalline lens that builds over time. UV light has been shown to worsen the progression of cataracts, but it has not been identified as a true cause of the cataract.

Treating Cataracts

Cataracts are treated by having a cataract extraction surgery and removing the cloudy lens to replace it with a new, clear lens.

This surgery is very straightforward and a routine procedure in many ophthalmology clinics, however, given that it is still major surgery, it is advisable to wait until vision and daily living are impacted by the cataract.

If the vision is so blurry that daily tasks become difficult, such as driving, reading, or being able to see the TV, then cataract surgery is indicated.

Loss of Near Focusing Ability

Another prominent vision change with age is the loss of the ability to focus on small details near. This is due to a process called presbyopia and will begin to occur to some degree in everyone by the fourth decade of life.

Presbyopia is a result of the inflexibility of the focusing, or accommodative system, in the eye.

The eye is unable to adjust the power to that which is needed to see something clearly up close so the near vision will be blurred.

Treatments for Presbyopia

To treat presbyopia, there are several options including glasses, contacts, and eye drops.

The most common option is to use reading glasses or bifocal glasses when looking at something up close.

Another option is to wear contacts that have a bifocal power in the lens or one contact for reading and another for the distance.

A new eye drop, Vuity, is now offered as an alternative to glasses or contacts which can correct presbyopia symptoms for a few hours.

Our eye doctor at Local Eyes Optometry in New Braunfels, TX excels in prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrist at (830) 627-9272 or schedule an eye exam appointment online if you would are experiencing or would like to learn more about eye floaters. Our eye doctor, Dr. Marcus Page, provides the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in New Braunfels, Texas.