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Overall eye health is not impervious to the effects of aging. Aging can make it difficult to know what changes are "normal" and what should be a cause for concern. This is especially true for your eyes and vision, where issues may not be as easy to notice right away.

A few common changes for older adults include:⁵

● Losing the ability to see up close

● Having trouble distinguishing colors, such as blue from black

● Needing more time to adjust to changing levels of light

● Trouble reading fine print

● Increased dry eyes—the older you get, the fewer tears you tend to produce, which can lead to dry eyes

● Trouble seeing at night—this is likely because your eye's rod cells weaken, making it more challenging to see in low light

Your risk for certain eye diseases and conditions increases as you grow older with some eye changes being more serious than others. In addition, many eye diseases have no early symptoms.  An annual eye exam, similar to your investment in an annual physical, is not only a great preventive action to protect your vision, but also helps to support your overall health.  

Vision Changes by Age⁶

Adults over 50 are at an increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This disease impacts your central vision. AMD often does not have symptoms in its early stages, making early detection by an eye doctor important.

Once you reach 60, you are at an increased risk of developing:

● Glaucoma—this disease is most common in senior adults.

● Cataracts—half of Americans over 75 will develop cataracts; an eye doctor can help you preserve your vision.

● Low vision—you may start to have trouble distinguishing things when the background is a similar color.

At your eye exam, your doctor will watch for any prescription changes or underlying health conditions and provide guidance on how you can adapt to any vision changes.

There are hundreds of different eye diseases and vision problems. Many of which are treatable when identified and treated early -- improving "your" quality of life as you age.

You can assist in your own eye health by following a healthy lifestyle and seeing your eye care professional on a regular basis and any time your vision changes.⁷

Here are some of the most common vision issues:⁸

● Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)—an eye disease that causes loss of central vision.

● Diabetic retinopathy—a condition that occurs in long-term diabetes and may cause vision loss.

● Retinal detachment—tearing or separation of the retina from the underlying tissue.

● Cataracts—clouding of the lens of the eye and a cause of vision loss.

● Glaucoma—damage to the optic nerve and a cause of blindness.

Taking action early is the key to preserving you vision health.⁹ Early detection and prevention is a great way to protect your eyes and prevent vision loss as you age.

Tips for maintaining healthy eyes

There are a few things you can do to help take care of your eyes and keep them healthy:

● Get regular eye exams. These exams provide early detection and treatment of vision needs, eye health, and overall health.

● Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating a healthy diet, staying active, and not smoking can all help protect your eye health.

● Protect your eyes while outdoors. Put on a pair of sunglasses and a hat when you head outside to help protect your eyes and the skin around them from the sun.

Do your best to keep your eyes healthy by staying in tune with your body, letting your eye doctor know when there are changes in your vision and overall health, knowing your risk factors for eye diseases and making healthy lifestyle choices. And in a world full of choices, remember that having healthy vision helps you to bring your best vision to life.