Our vision changes as we grow older, therefore many of us will need to wear glasses or contact lenses, here are some important tips to help keep your vision clear.
Have regular eye tests. According to The College of Optometrist, once a year examination of the eye is crucial, even with no symptoms.
An eye test is not only useful for checking whether your glasses are up to date, it is also a vital check on the well-being of your eyes. An eye test can help diagnose eye disorders such as Glaucoma and Cataracts as well as general health problems including Diabetes and High Blood Pressure. Some State Governments and Organisations within Australia offer discount optical care or free eye examinations.
An annual or biannual eye test will confirm whether you need a different prescription for your glasses or contact lenses. It’s very important to wear the correct prescription lenses. This will improve your quality of vision and life and reduce the risks of accidents such as falls which may take place due to improper vision. You may be entitled to help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses, so ask your Optician about this.
Difficulty Reading – eye muscles start to weaken from the age of 45. It’s a natural ageing method of the eye that occurs to us all, by the time you are 60 you will probably need separate reading glasses or an addition to your prescription lenses (bifocals or varifocals).
Cataracts – easily identified in an eye test, results in the gradual clouding of the eye lens, it is very common in the over 60’s age group. A simple operation can restore sight.
Glaucoma – this is related to an increase in pressure in the eye that leads to damage of the optic nerve which connects the eye to the brain. Left untreated, Glaucoma may lead to tunnel vision and ultimately blindness. However, if it’s detected early, these complications can usually be avoided with the help of prescribed medicated eye drops.
Macular Degeneration (MD) – this is the name given to a group of degenerative diseases of the retina that cause progressive, painless loss of the central vision, affecting the ability to see fine detail, drive, read and recognise faces. Although there is no cure for MD, there are treatment options that can reduce its progression, depending on the stage and type of disease (wet, dry or other forms). The earlier the disease is detected, the more vision you are likely to retain. Regular checks and eye tests including the macula are recommended to reduce the risk or slow down the progression of MD.
