In celebration of Older Americans Month, we want to discuss how aging affects your eyes. If you are over 40 years, you may understand how frustrating it is to learn during your eye exam that it is time to change your prescription or begin using reading glasses. Yes, you could probably eat more carrots, but unfortunately, vision changes are a normal part of the aging process.
The Big 4-0
Turning 40 is not as significant as it once was thanks to people living more active lifestyles and living much longer. Your eyes did not get the memo, though. At this part of middle age, the lens of your eye starts to firm up a bit. This makes it less flexible. The result is a loss of vision for objects that are close to your face. The condition is known as presbyopia that is often correctable with reading glasses.
Color Changes
In addition to vision changes, you may notice some odd color changes to your eyes. The white part of your eyes may have a bluish tint due to the outer layer becoming more transparent. If you spent a great deal of time outdoors when you were younger, the white area of the eyes may develop a dingy yellow or brown color. The colored part of your eye may develop strangely random spots that are darker than the rest of your iris. The outer membrane of the eye thins, and you produce fewer tears. Dry eyes and irritation are common in older men and women.
Eye Conditions in Older Patients
Cataracts and glaucoma are two of the most well-known eye conditions in older patients, but there a few more than occur quite often.
- The weakening of the muscles that control the eyelids, treated with blepharoplasty
- Changes to the muscles that control the pupils
- Lost fat volume around the orbit
- Bulging fat around the orbit
- A greyish ring that develops around the cornea (arcus senilis)
- Macular degeneration
- Floaters
Routine exams help to identify these conditions early to maximize treatment outcomes.
Learn More About Eye Conditions in Older Patients. Contact Siems LASIK and Eye Center.
To learn more about glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic eye conditions and our other services for older men and women, contact Stuart P. Sondheimer, MD to schedule an appointment. You can call our office at 847-677-2794.