Having bad eyesight is common for many people, particularly those of retirement age. It is usual for the most part, but this doesn’t mean you can ignore the symptoms, which often lead to more problematic conditions that can directly affect your daily life.
While eye problems are not unusual and are generally fixable through lifestyle changes and properly adjusted eyeglasses, they could also be a sign of a more severe and underlying illness. This is why it is essential to know the red flags you need to be aware of, so you can immediately seek medical advice and have effective treatment in place.
Dry eye
Dry eye is when your eyes sting or burn. This is usually caused by a tear gland that isn’t working correctly. This affects older women and can easily be fixed by eye drops, ointment or a light-based, non-invasive treatment done in the area below and above the eyes with the use of OptiLight Dry Eye IPL. These options are known to be extremely effective. Humidifiers can also work wonders, especially in a cold and dry environment.
Presbyopia
By the time you are in your forties, you’re starting to read can labels at arm’s length. This condition is called Presbyopia. It can cause your eyes to lose focus on near objects. This will get worse as you age, but this can be corrected by going to your local ophthalmologist and asking for proper reading glasses to help repair your eyesight.
Cataracts
This is one of the most common eye problems you can see in adults, especially in the elderly 80 years old and up. Cataracts refer to having a blurred spot on your eyes, which usually causes double or blurred vision and sensitivity to light. This can be treated through surgery.
Floaters
Floaters are small lines or specks in your vision. This happens when cells suddenly attach them to your eyes, giving you that “speckled” vision. Many cases don’t need medical intervention since they often go away on their own, but if your eyes become obstructed, seek medical advice for urgent treatment and care.
Retinal detachment
This happens when your retina is separated from one of your eye tissues. Symptoms include flashing lights, an increased number of floaters, and a dark shadow, thus obstructing your vision. Early intervention with this eye condition is critical for a successful treatment. Failure to do so can cause blindness.
Lifestyle changes equal healthy eyes
Knowing these conditions can assist you in recognizing your symptoms, which can effectively treat your eye condition before it worsens. You can also prevent further damage by committing to a significant lifestyle change that promotes healthier eyesight.
- Do not smoke.
- Maintain an ideal weight and height ratio.
- Eat healthy food rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc, and omega-3.
- Protect your eyes from UV light with sunglasses.
- Have routine annual eye checkups.
Overall, staying healthy at all times can prevent various eye conditions. However, it is also vital to get yearly checkups and eye examinations to determine any problems early on, thus avoiding severe eye diseases that can eventually lead to loss of vision.
