Aging presents plenty of challenges to our health and wellness. The best way to handle those challenges is to learn the most effective means to manage them — and that includes knowing how to care for your eyes.
Advanced Eye Center is a leading provider of state-of-the-art eye care for people of all ages, helping women and men in Hialeah, Florida, keep their eyes healthy at every stage of life. In this post, Rodrigo Belalcazar, MD, reviews some of the changes that typically occur with aging, along with a quick overview of how those changes are managed.
Even if you’ve had perfect vision all your life, when you get older, there’s a really good chance you’re going to need glasses. That’s because as you age, you tend to develop a condition called presbyopia that makes it harder to see objects up close. While presbyopia can’t be cured, it can be managed with proper eyewear.
It’s also not uncommon to develop problems with night vision. Some studies show this issue may have to do with age-related changes in special cells that help you see in low-light environments. If you have difficulty seeing at night, you should avoid nighttime driving for now, and schedule an exam so Dr. Belalcazar can help you find a solution that works for your needs.
Dry eyes are a very common problem as you age. That’s because as you get older, your eyes tend to produce fewer tears. Plus, the tears that are produced may be of a lower quality, allowing them to evaporate before they have a chance to lubricate your eye surface.
If you have dry eyes, you might have symptoms like sensitivity to light, excess tearing, grittiness, or general discomfort. Without treatment, dry eyes can increase your risk of infections too. Fortunately, Dr. Belalcazar can help you manage your dry eyes with over-the-counter or prescription drops or other medications.
Sagging skin is a common side effect of aging and can affect your eyelids. As you get older, your eyelids tend to drift downward, making you look older and more tired. When drooping is severe, it can lead to other problems, like blocked vision or, in the case of drooping lower lids, excessively dry and irritated eyes.
Fortunately, drooping eyelids can be managed with a nonsurgical procedure using the state-of-the-art Plexr® system. Plexr uses intense bursts of plasma energy to stimulate natural healing processes that tighten the skin on your eyelids. For more severe drooping, eyelid surgery may be more appropriate.
Dark circles are another side effect of aging that has aesthetic consequences on your overall appearance. These circles tend to become more noticeable as you age and your skin thins out, making blood vessels more visible.
Here, dermal fillers can help. Injected into the area under your eyes, fillers plump up your skin, decreasing that tired, hollow look and helping your eyes look more alert and youthful.
Age also ushers in increased risks of several serious eye diseases, including:
The CDC lists these diseases as leading causes of low vision and permanent vision loss. Age also increases your risks of high blood pressure and diabetes, each of which can increase your risk of eye problems.
Age-related eye diseases often cause no noticeable symptoms in their early stage — the stage when they’re most easily managed (and sometimes reversed). Having regular comprehensive eye exams as you get older is essential for catching these and other problems so treatment can begin right away.
Bottom line: As you age, your eyes and vision can change significantly, leaving you at risk of permanent vision loss and other issues. Having annual eye exams is one of the best ways to monitor your eyes and protect your vision as you get older.
If you’re due for your annual eye exam, call 305-707-6011 or book an appointment online with Dr. Belalcazar today.
