Caring for your aging eyes
By Dr. Giovanna Olivares, OD, FAAO; Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Director & Staff Writer
As you get older, one thing becomes clear: change is a constant. Careers change, relationships change, hobbies change, and perspectives change. Eyes are no different. Understanding the ways that your eyes change can keep you from getting caught off guard and help you take better care of your vision in the long run. In this blog post, we will explore common age-related eye issues and provide simple tips to help keep your eyes healthy over time.
Signs of ageing eyes – common conditions
Presbyopia
This common, natural condition affects your ability to see up-close objects clearly. It happens to everyone—as you get older, the lens inside your eye becomes less flexible, making it harder to focus on close-up tasks like reading or using a smartphone. A telltale sign of presbyopia is someone holding their phone or a restaurant menu at arm’s length.
Cataracts
Cataracts occurs when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, leading to blurred vision, and decreased contrast and color perception. Cataracts are a natural condition common with advancing age and can be corrected with surgery if they start to interfere with daily activities.
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in older people. It affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. Symptoms include blurred or distorted vision, seeing straight lines as wavy and in the more advanced stages, difficulty recognising faces.
Five tips for healthy ageing eyes
1. Regular eye examinations
Schedule comprehensive eye tests with an Eye Care Professional at least once a year. Regular check-ups can detect early signs of age-related eye conditions and may help to manage them effectively. A comprehensive eye test can also detect undiagnosed systemic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
2. Protect your eyes
Prolonged UV exposure has been associated with early onset of cataracts. Wear a combination of a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses that block 100% UV rays to protect your eyes from this harmful sun exposure. Use safety eyewear when doing things that could cause eye injury, such as woodworking or gardening.
3. Quit smoking
Smoking has been linked to an increased risk of developing age-related eye diseases such as AMD and cataracts. Quitting smoking can help with long term eye health.
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Footnotes
Important information for contact lens wearers: ACUVUE® Contact Lenses can be used for vision correction. An Eye Care Professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and instructions on proper lens care. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, any eye disease or systemic disease that may affect the eye, or if you are allergic to any ingredients. If you experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems, remove the lens and contact your Eye Care Professional immediately. For detailed information on proper wear, care, warnings and precautions, talk to your Eye Care Professional and carefully read the Instructions for Use available on the Johnson & Johnson website https://www.e-ifu.com/