Feel Like Your Eyes Are Getting Worse? They Probably Are

Your vision changes as you age. Cataracts, dry eyes, and presbyopia are among the most common vision conditions seen in aging adults. Though these conditions can negatively affect your vision, there are several ways you can also combat these problems. Cataracts As you grow older, the lenses of your eyes become less transparent, thicker, and lose some of their flexibility. Tissues in the lens break down, which clouds areas inside the eye lens. The term, “cataract,” is used to refer to the cloudy area in the lens. Though cataracts develop slowly and don't appear to cause much trouble at first, they worsen with age and damage vision. However, there are several things you can do to help prevent cataracts, such as the following: - Schedule yearly eye exams. - Eat foods rich in vitamins and nutrients, such as beta-carotene, antioxidants, selenium, vitamin E and vitamin C. - Wear sunglasses to protect eyes from the sun. - Do not smoke.rnIf the cataracts continue to develop, you may need cataract surgery. The surgery involves replacing the clouded lens with an artificial lens. In most cases, cataract surgery significantly improves vision. Dry Eyes Dry eyes occur when tear glands fail to make enough tears or fail to produce high-quality tears to lubricate the eyes. As a result, your eyes burn, itch, and become red. In rare cases, your vision might be impacted. Using a humidifier at home might help improve dry eyes. You can also purchase over-the-counter artificial tears to moisten your eyes. When reading or watching television, take frequent breaks to close your eyes and help prevent them from becoming uncomfortably dry. If you have a severe case of dry eyes, your eye doctor can treat your condition using plugs in your tear ducts or prescription medication. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary. Presbyopia rnPresbyopia is a condition seen commonly in people over forty. When a person has presbyopia, they can see things far away but may have difficulty seeing things close-up. Caused by a loss of flexibility in the eye lens, presbyopia is fairly easy to treat, though there is no known cure for it. Wearing corrective contacts or prescription glasses are the most common courses of action.