Vision changes occur as you get older, but these changes
don't have to affect your lifestyle. Knowing what to expect and when to seek
professional care can help you safeguard your vision. As you reach your 60s and
beyond, you need to be aware of the warning signs of age-related eye health
problems that could cause vision loss.
Many eye diseases have no early symptoms. They may develop
painlessly, and you may not notice the changes to your vision until the
condition is quite advanced. Healthy lifestyle choices, regular eye exams and
early detection of disease can significantly improve your chances of
maintaining good eye health and vision as you age.
If you are 60 or older, driving may be more challenging.
Age-related vision changes and eye conditions may increase driving risks, as
you may not even aware of any symptoms.
To learn more about age-related vision changes, driving safety
after 60, and age-related eye diseases may result in vision loss, go to https://qualitylifeforum.weebly.com/2022-feb-aging-eye-facts.html
Eye fatigue and dryness are common age-related problems as
well. To learn how toreduce aging eye fatigue, follow the link.
Regular comprehensive eye exam is essential. A comprehensive eye exam is recommended at least annually for age 65 and older by the AOA. It is more than a visual acuity check for glasses purpose.
- A comprehensive adult eye examination includes:
- Patient and family health history.
- Visual acuity measurement.
- Preliminary tests of visual function and eye health, including depth perception, color vision, peripheral (side) vision and the response of the pupils to light.
- Assessment of refractive status to determine the presence of nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism.
- Evaluation of eye focusing, eye teaming and eye movement abilities.
- Eye health examination.
- Additional tests as needed.
Having a complete eye exam with an eye doctor is important
because most eye diseases can be treated if they are found early. The doctor
will also test your eyesight and check for glaucoma. Pupil dilation will enable
your eye doctor to get a clear view of the optic nerve and check for early
signs of eye disease.
Choosing an eye doctor (Ophthalmologist vs. optometrist): in
short, Ophthalmologist and optometrist both can prescribe medications and treat
eye diseases. Optometrists can handle nearly all the medical aspects of
ophthalmology. But they do not perform surgery. Ophthalmologists are surgeons
and can treat your medical needs as well. If you have a serious condition, such
as severe macular degeneration or cataract, you’ll typically see a specialist
(ophthalmologist). If you don’t have any serious eye problems, the choice is
really up to you.
Eyesight is the most precious gift of life. Make eye health
a priority and take actions for proactive eye care. Everyone faces aging
challenges. Contact Qualitylifeforum@outlook.com
for help and support of your health needs.