Changes in your eyesight can be part of the normal aging process, with many vision problems commonly developing in your adult years. Read on as your reliable eye doctor from EyeSite of the Villages discusses common age-related vision conditions.

Common Age-Related Eyesight Changes

Macular Degeneration

The macula, the retina’s focal region, plays an important role in providing your central vision. As you age, it may begin to deteriorate, resulting in difficulties seeing objects directly in front of you. You may also see blind spots across your visual field. Treatment for this condition depends on which of the two types of macular degeneration you have.

Cataracts

Protein breakdown in your eyes may increase as you age. Their fragments may settle on your lenses’ surface, resulting in cataract formation. Cataracts block light rays from entering your eyes, giving you cloudy vision. If they are causing significant eyesight problems, we will perform an eye exam to assess the severity of the condition. We may remove them surgically for your enhanced visual clarity.

Dry Eye Disease

Your risk of developing dry eye disease increases as you grow older, partly because of the hormonal changes you experience over time that can affect the quality and quantity of your tears. Drinking plenty of water daily, eating cold-water fish and applying artificial tears are some great remedies for this problem.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is an age-related refractive error that occurs when your natural lenses lose their flexibility, compromising their ability to accurately focus light rays onto your retina. As a result, your close-range vision may suffer. Wearing reading eyeglasses or multifocal contact lenses can help improve your visual acuity.

For more information about visual changes as you age, call us at (352) 504-4560. We serve Oxford, FL, and the surrounding areas.