Healthy Aging and Your Eyes

At University Eye Associates, we understand that many changes come with aging, and the eyes are no exception. Loss of clarity up close and distance vision degrades over time. The ability to adjust to changes in light and dark settings may also take longer as our eyes age. While simple corrective equipment can help, such as eyeglasses and contact lenses, some conditions directly contribute to vision loss and are prevalent in old age. . As the risk of many eye conditions increase with age, frequent eye exams become even more essential.

Eye Health, Wear, and Strain

One of the most common indicators of aging in the eyes is strain. People often notice strain towards the end of the day after hours of vision work.  Extended computer work, reading, detailed activities, and other similar tasks often can show symptoms such as blurry vision, watery eyes, eye pain, or eye twitching. These symptoms are often the first signs of eye strain or dry eyes –both of which are commonly associated with aging. These age-related conditions typically start in the 40s.

Protecting Aging Eyes

Frequent eye exams are essential in identifying conditions early on before they worsen. There are many “silent” conditions which are of bigger concern. “Silent” conditions, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, are those that lack of any visual symptoms early in the condition but can result in permanent vision loss, or even blindness. Yearly prescription checks are also important. As your eyes change over time, your prescription may change as well. Having an updated and accurate prescription is one way to help reduce eye strain.

Contact Our Eye Doctors at University Eye Associates

If you're in the local area of Charlotte, Harrisburg (Rocky River), or Davidson, University Eye Associates is a great place to start with preventative care for aging eye health. Our team can help explain how aging affects the eyes and what to watch out for after every eye exam. We also provide most standard eye care services for senior patients, including monitoring for serious conditions more prevalent in seniors. Call our team today at (704) 547-1551 to learn more or to schedule an appointment.