In fact, vision problems are not much of a concern because the issue is often identified early and is easy to remedy.
We aren't so concerned with corrective lenses because changes in vision are usually easy to fix and are identified early, Unfortunately, most people rarely follow up with an eye exam until a problem arises.
The truth is continued vision problems don’t just happen to your parents’ generation. There are a variety of complications that can occur as we age. Here are some conditions for which you want to keep an eye out.
Myopia
The more standard definition of myopia is blurred vision, more precisely when things far away are blurry. When women hit 40 and find they have trouble reading small print or focusing on things close up, they have a form of myopia called presbyopia.
Presbyopia is a gradual hardening of your eye’s lens that constricts its ability to focus on things nearby. The muscle that surrounds the eye can’t tighten in order to focus.
While presbyopia is a typical occurrence as we age, there are certain risk factors that can cause premature presbyopia before age 40.
• Diabetes
• Multiple sclerosis
• Cardiovascular disease
Most people are comfortable treating myopia with eyeglasses, and some can even purchase a pair of "readers" off the rack in the drugstore. Ask your optometrist at your yearly check-up if this option is right for you. For those who don’t want glasses or have an active lifestyle, refractive surgery or lens implants are alternative treatment options.
Astigmatism
Another cause of blurred vision, astigmatism doesn’t have to do with the muscle that surrounds your lens. Instead, it has to do with the shape of your cornea. If your cornea is irregularly shaped, then that affects how your eye focuses the light on the back wall of your eye, the retina. It affects the central part of your vision that lets you see details like small print or faraway objects on the horizon.
There are two types of astigmatism: dry and wet. Dry is the early version that can be helped by getting enough vitamins and minerals in your diet. Discuss any diet changes with your optometrist and nutritionist. Lutein or a multivitamin are frequent suggestions for preventative vitamin regimens.
Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is called just that because your eye grows new blood vessels under the macula and these leak, releasing a fluid. This can result in blindness. You must treat wet astigmatism early. Your eye doctor is invaluable in this respect.
You may be at risk for astigmatism if one of these instances pertains to you.
• Pregnancy
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Type 1 or 2 diabetes
A large-scale study conducted by the National Institutes of Health in 2011 found that the children of women who smoked while pregnant had a 1.5 percent higher chance of developing astigmatism than children whose mothers did not smoke while pregnant.
While smoking during pregnancy causes harm to your baby’s eyesight, merely being a lactating mother can cause changes in your eyesight.
• Hyperopia: farsightedness
• Presbyopia: farsightedness
• Astigmatism
These changes are often temporary for pregnant women. Expect your problems to slowly fade after the first menstrual cycle following lactation. Getting an eye exam is always a good idea, especially to be sure the change in vision does not belie another disease.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve. You might notice a slow but steadily increasing pressure in the eyes. This pressure occurs because of intraocular fluid buildup that should normally move freely in and out of your eye.
Where the iris and the cornea converge, this is where the fluid usually leaves your eye. If the drainage system does not work properly, then the liquid will build up and create pressure on your eye. This pressure is what damages the optic nerve.
While glaucoma cannot be "fixed," it can be stopped if your optometrist discovers it early. Getting a yearly comprehensive eye exam is your best bet to catch glaucoma in its early stages.
Cataracts
Uncommon for those 40 and younger, cataracts are another serious eye issue. A lot of people first learn about cataracts as their pets age. That because this is a sadly familiar occurrence for dogs and cats. But it isn't just limited to our four-legged friends. In both humans and animals, cataracts happen when the lens of the eye clouds.
Clouded lenses create poor night vision. Notably, driving at night in the rain can be near close to impossible because of the glare of lights on the wet road.
You should keep cataracts on your radar if you are a young woman and some of these risk factors pertain to you.
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Higher than average alcohol use
• Excessive sun exposure
• Exposure to radiation
• Prolonged steroid use
• Trauma to the face or head. These kinds of traumatic cataracts can develop up to years after the initial accident
The National Eye Institute recommends wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat that covers the face to avoid excessive sun exposure that can eventually add to the likelihood of developing cataracts.
Other helpful hints to stave off cataracts:
• Eat green leafy vegetables and fruit
• Consume antioxidants
• Get an eye exam
Cataracts typically develop around age 60, and this is the same age that they become noticeable, especially as vision begins to degrade. A woman can develop cataracts decades earlier with no obvious signs and no sight change.
Keeping your yearly appointment with your eye doctor is the best prevention against unknowingly developing cataracts and going without treatment. The same goes for the other debilitating eye issues.
Many vision problems tend to creep in slowly and may go unnoticed for years. Early diagnosis can stop many of the issues. Going for your annual eye exam whether you wear glasses or not is the most proactive step for preserving vision for years to come.