subject: How Your Eyesight Changes After Age 40 [print this page] Your body naturally changes as you age and your vision is one particular aspect where age related deterioration becomes more noticeable after age 40. Small print becomes harder to read and you may require reading glasses or glasses for distance. If you haven't begun to experience any of these signs yet, then it's good to know what to expect in the future as you continue to age. Then with this knowledge, you can take corrective action to ward off any possible further deterioration. Of course your eye doctor can help you to determine if any there are any issues that need to be addressed.
The most common problem which begins during the ages between 40-60, is trouble seeing details. Therefore, reading and small tasks can become difficult, and you may hold out items at arm's length in order to see them better. While this may be upsetting, you should know that it is a normal part of aging, called presbyopia. This is merely the result of your eye's focusing abilities slowing down and it becomes gradually worse the older you get. In the beginning stages, you may find that low lighting makes it harder to read clearly. Also, if you currently wear eyeglasses to improve your vision, you may have to change over to bifocals instead. These will allow you to read small print better, without having to switch to reading glasses many times throughout the day.
Another change is the need to see you eye doctor more frequently as you begin to move through these middle age years. Why is this the case? Since your risk of developing eye problems is elevated during this time, it is recommended for prevention and safety. How often should you schedule an appointment? The rule of thumb is at least once every two years, and more frequently if you have specific vision concerns or other conditions. For instance, there is increased likelihood of vision problems occurring for you in the future if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol. Furthermore, don't rely on being able to pass the eye chart test at the driver's license office as a means to determine the state of your vision!
Finally, you may see the following alterations in your vision, and these are to be expected. First, you may become more sensitive to the levels of light in your environment, needing brighter lights to see clearly. In addition, glare from car headlights may give you trouble with being able to see the road properly. You may find that driving at night becomes particularly challenging, and you can use yellow-tinted driving glasses to reduce this effect. As your lenses deteriorate with age, they can begin to disperse light in a random pattern, rather than directing it towards your retina instead. This causes glare to become more of a problem. You ability to view colour sharpness may also become weaker and your eyes may also be drier than before.
All of these things are very natural and you shouldn't be overly concerned about them. So although it can be upsetting to notice that your vision is beginning to deteriorate somewhat, it is simply a normal part of the aging process. If you take vitamins to keep your eyesight strong, and see your eye doctor regularly, you can reduce the impact upon your life as whole. With the right prescription eyeglasses, you can cope quite successfully, and ensure that no major issues are present as well. As with most health discussions, preventative care is the best means of avoiding future problems along with scheduling regular exams with your doctor!
