"Eyes Scream for Checkup After 40"
Professor David Demko, PhD
AgeVenture News Service
Look! Up in the sky! It's not a bird. Not a plane. And it isn't superman. It's just your mature vision playing tricks on you again with those annoying "floaters" inside your eyes. The likelihood of seeing these spots and floaters increases after the age of 40. The spots are usually small flecks of protein and other matter trapped inside the eyes before birth. Just about everyone sees them every now and then. However, the spots can also be a sign of an eye health problem, especially when there's a change in the size or number of spots. The American Optometric Association offers some guidelines for sorting out normal changes that occur after age 40 from other symptoms of serious eye conditions. Here are a few vision changes you should keep your eye on.
- Blurred or hazy vision, sensitivity to glare, or a sudden improvement in near vision are symptoms of a developing cataract. That's the bad news. The good news is that surgery and a lens implant will restore good vision in 95 percent of these cases. In fact, a short time ago as part of my field research on this subject, I sat in on and observed three lense replacement surgeries. The patient seemed to be in relative comfort during the procedure, and afterwards sat up and gazed with perfect vision across the room at the clock on the wall.
- Difficulty in focusing the eye from near to far and back again is a normal consequence of advancing age. This problem is easily corrected with bi-focals which, by the way, come without noticeable lines. Or you might be fitted with contact lenses that are specially designed for near and distance vision.
- Distorted vision, perceiving straight lines as crooked or wavy can suggest major eye health problems such as retinal disorders. Hypertension can further complicate this problem. The good news is that annual eye exams are an excellent way to spot symptoms early for immediate treatmetn.
- Probably one of the most dangerous conditions after age 40 is one that occurs with no noticeable symptoms, but may lead to blindness if left unchecked. This devastating disease responds well to treatment in its early stages. The condition is known as glaucoma, an abnormally high increase in internal eye pressure. Continued high pressure gradually destroys delicate eye tissues.
- Don't feel overwhelmed or distraught about these occurences. Do something about it. Call your doctor for an eye examination today.
David Demko reports on lifestyle issues and trends in Aging America.
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