Increasing age is a major risk factor for certain eye diseases. Since some of these conditions are asymptomatic at first, identifying them in their early stages is difficult without undergoing a comprehensive eye exam. Nevertheless, there are certain signs to look out for. In today’s post, your trusted eye doctor from Shady Grove Eye and Vision Care discusses four telltale signs of age-related vision problems.
1. Cloudy Eyesight
Protein in your body breaks down faster as you age. Your eyes’ natural lenses are mostly made of water and protein. As you age, the proteins on your eyes break down too quickly, forming cataracts, or clumps on your eyes. Cataracts restrict light entry into your eyes, resulting in hazy or cloudy eyesight.
2. Central Visual Impairment
Macular degeneration is an eye disease that typically develops in adulthood, resulting in retinal and macular deterioration. Common symptoms include compromised central vision. Observing a healthy lifestyle and having a comprehensive eye exam regularly can help prevent this condition or at least halt its progression.
3. Restricted Peripheral Vision
Glaucoma is another common ocular condition that usually occurs in adulthood. It’s caused by a dangerous increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), which can compress your optic nerve, preventing transmission of visual signals to your brain. You may develop tunnel vision when this happens, impairing your peripheral vision.
4. A Sudden Change in Your Vision
You may notice that objects appear blurry or hazy, especially those near you. This is a common indicator of presbyopia, a refractive error that occurs when your eyes’ natural lenses lose their flexibility due to the aging process. Wearing multi-powered eyeglasses or contact lenses may help improve your vision. They contain different prescriptions in a single lens, letting you see clearly at varying distances.
If you notice any of these warning signs, head to your reliable eye clinic as soon as possible. We have the knowledge, skills, and instruments to detect and manage these conditions. Call us today at (301) 859-4060 or complete our form to schedule an appointment. We serve Washington, DC, and Arlington, VA.
