Eye health after 40 years

Eye health after 40 years: a comprehensive guide for preserving vision

Preservation of the eyes of the eyes after 40 years becomes a priority. With age, natural changes occur, which can affect vision and increase the risk of various eye diseases. This complex guide will help you understand what changes take place, how to prevent them, and how to maintain eye health throughout life.

Age -related vision changes: what happens after 40?

After 40 years, many people notice changes in vision, which can affect everyday life. These changes, although natural, require attention and, possibly, adjustments.

• Presbiopia (age farsightedness): This is the most common change that occurs after 40 years. The lens of the eye loses its elasticity and the ability to focus on close objects. This makes it difficult to read small font, work with a computer or watching a phone at close range. The symptoms include the need to keep objects at an extended arm, eye fatigue, headaches and blurry vision at a close distance.

  • Development mechanism: The lens, located inside the eye, changes its shape to focus on objects at different distances. With age, the lens becomes less elastic and less capable of changing the shape, which complicates the focus on close objects.
  • Diagnosis: An ophthalmologist or an optometrist can diagnose a presbyopia during a standard eye examination.
  • Correction:
    • Reading glasses: This is the most common and simple way of correcting presbyopia.
    • Bifocal or progressive lenses: These lenses allow you to see clearly both at close and long distance. Bifocal lenses have a clear boundary between the zones for near and distant vision, while progressive lenses provide a smooth transition between the zones.
    • Contact lenses: There are multifocal contact lenses that adjust the pre -premium.
    • Surgical correction: In some cases, you can consider surgical options such as implantation of multifocal lens or mono -sound (correction of one eye for long -term vision, and the other for the neighbor).

• Reducing sensitivity to contrast: With age, the ability to distinguish between thin shades and gradations of color decreases. This can make it difficult to drive at dusk, reading in weak light and facial recognition.

  • Development mechanism: Changes in the retina and visual nerve can affect the ability to distinguish contrast.
  • Improvement: Improving lighting can help compensate for a decrease in contrast sensitivity. Special yellow filter lenses can also improve contrast.

• Dry eyes: With age, the production of tear fluid is reduced, which leads to dry eyes. This can cause a feeling of sand in the eyes, burning, redness and fatigue of the eyes.

  • Development mechanism: The lacrimal glands produce tear fluid, which lubricates and protects the surface of the eye. With age, the function of the lacrimal glands may worsen.
  • Treatment:
    • Artificial tears: This is the most common way to alleviate the symptoms of dry eyes. There are many different types of artificial tears, and it is important to choose those that are right for you.
    • Air humidifiers: The use of a humidifier of air, especially in winter, can help moisturize air and reduce dry eyes.
    • Omega-3 fatty acids: Reception of omega-3 fatty acids can help improve the production of tear fluid.
    • Blocking of lacrimal channels: In some cases, the locking of the lacrimal canals may be recommended to reduce the outflow of tear fluid.

• Reducing the size of the pupil: With age, the pupil becomes less, which reduces the amount of light that falls into the eye. This can complicate vision in low light conditions.

  • Development mechanism: The muscles that control the size of the pupil can weaken with age.
  • Improvement: Provide sufficient lighting in the room, especially when reading or performing other tasks requiring good vision.

• Increased sensitivity to light: With age, the eyes can become more sensitive to bright light. This can cause discomfort and lacrimation.

  • Development mechanism: Changes in the cornea and lens can affect how the light passes through the eyes.
  • Improvement: Use sunglasses on the street and avoid bright light in the room.

Eye diseases associated with age: risks and prevention

With age, the risk of developing certain eye diseases increases, which can lead to loss of vision. Regular eye examinations and timely treatment can help prevent or slow down the progression of these diseases.

• Cataract: This is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which leads to a gradual visual impairment. Symptoms include blurry vision, increased sensitivity to light, double eyes and a deterioration in night vision.
  • Risk factors: Age, smoking, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, diabetes, eye injuries and some drugs (for example, corticosteroids).
  • Prevention: Protection of the eyes from the sun with the help of sunglasses, rejection of smoking, controlling the level of sugar in the blood (with diabetes) and regular eye examinations.
  • Treatment: Surgical removal of a clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial lens (intraocular lens). The operation to remove cataracts is one of the most common and safe surgical procedures.
• Glaucoma: This is a group of diseases that damage the visual nerve and can lead to blindness. Often glaucoma proceeds without symptoms in the early stages.
  • Risk factors: Age, family history of glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, myopia, farsightedness, diabetes, high blood pressure and some ethnic groups (for example, Africans and Latin American).
  • Prevention: Regular eye examinations for measuring intraocular pressure and examining the optic nerve.
  • Treatment: Medicines (eye drops), laser therapy or surgery to reduce intraocular pressure. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent vision loss.
• Age macular degeneration (VMD): This is a disease that affects the central part of the retina (macula) and leads to loss of central vision.
  • Risk factors: Age, family history of the VMD, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and the effect of ultraviolet radiation.
  • Prevention: A healthy lifestyle that includes the rejection of smoking, a healthy diet, regular physical exercises and protecting the eyes from the sun.
  • Treatment: There are two types of VMD: dry and wet. Dry VMD progresses slowly, and special vitamins and minerals can be recommended to slow down progression. Wet VMD progresses faster and requires the treatment of anti-VEGF drugs that are introduced into the eye.
• Diabetic retinopathy: This is a complication of diabetes that damages the blood vessels of the retina.
  • Risk factors: Diabetes (especially uncontrolled), duration of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
  • Prevention: Monitoring the level of sugar in the blood, blood pressure and cholesterol, regular eye examinations.
  • Treatment: Laser therapy, injections of anti-VEGF drugs or surgery to stop bleeding and prevent further damage to the retina.
• Dry eye syndrome: Although it was already mentioned as an age -related change, dry eye syndrome can also be a sign or consequence of other diseases, such as autoimmune disorders (for example, Shegren syndrome), thyroid disease and taking certain drugs.

A healthy lifestyle for eye health: food, exercises and protection

A healthy lifestyle plays an important role in maintaining the health of the eyes and preventing diseases.

• Nutrition:
  • Antioxidants: Products rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and zinc, help protect the eyes from damage to free radicals. These antioxidants are found in fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
  • Lutein and Zeaxanthin: These carotenoids accumulate in the makula and help protect it from damage by ultraviolet radiation. Luthein and zeaxantin are found in dark green leafy vegetables (for example, spinach and cabbage) and yellow vegetables (for example, corn and pepper).
  • Omega-3 fatty acids: These fatty acids are important for the health of the retina and can help reduce dry eyes. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish (for example, salmon, tuna and sardines), linen seeds, walnuts and chia seeds.
  • Vitamin A: It is important for night vision. Contained in carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes and other orange and yellow vegetables.
• Exercise: Regular physical exercises can help improve blood circulation in the eyes and reduce the risk of diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which can affect vision.
• Sun protection: The effect of ultraviolet radiation can damage the eyes and increase the risk of cataracts and the VMD. Wear sunglasses that block 100% UVA and UVB rays, and a hat with wide fields to protect the eyes from the sun.
• Refusal of smoking: Smoking is one of the main risk factors for the development of many eye diseases, including cataracts, VMD and glaucoma. Refusal of smoking is one of the best ways to protect the eyes of the eyes.
• Control of the time spent in front of the screen: For a long time, conducted in front of the screens of computers, phones and tablets, can lead to fatigue of the eyes, dry eyes and headaches. Follow the rule of 20-20-20: every 20 minutes take a break and look at an object located at a distance of 20 feet (6 meters) for 20 seconds. Make sure that the screen is at the right distance and height, and use blue light filters to reduce the load on the eyes.
• Sufficient sleep: The lack of sleep can lead to fatigue of the eyes, dry eyes and blurry vision. Try to sleep 7-8 hours a day.
• Regular eye examinations: Regular eye examinations are important for the early detection and treatment of eye diseases. An ophthalmologist or an optometrist can check vision, measure intraocular pressure and examine the eyes for the presence of signs of diseases. After 40 years, it is recommended to undergo eye survey at least once a year, even if you have no symptoms. If you have risk factors for the development of eye diseases, such as family history, diabetes or high blood pressure, you may need to undergo examinations more often.

Contact lenses care: Eye Health tips

If you wear contact lenses, it is important to comply with hygiene rules and care for them to prevent infections and other complications.

• Wash your hands thoroughly before touching contact lenses.
• Use only a recommended solution for cleaning and storing contact lenses.
• Never use water water water to clean or store contact lenses.
• Clean the container for contact lenses regularly and change it every 3 months.
• Do not wear contact lenses longer than recommended by the manufacturer.
• Do not sleep in contact lenses, unless this is recommended by your doctor.
• Remove contact lenses if you have any signs of infection, such as redness, pain, lacrimation or blurry vision.
• Regularly visit an ophthalmologist to check the state of contact lenses and eyes.

When to see a doctor: anxious symptoms

Take a doctor immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Sudden loss of vision.
• Blurry vision that does not pass.
• Dangling in the eyes.
• Pain in the eyes.
• Eye redness.
• Lacrimation.
• The appearance of floating flies or flashes of light in the field of view.
• Distortion of straight lines.
• Narrowing of the field of view.
• Increased sensitivity to light.
• Difficulties with adaptation to darkness.
• Changing the color of the iris.

Alternative methods of maintaining the health of the eyes: what do research say?

Some studies show that certain alternative methods can be useful for maintaining the health of the eyes, but additional studies are needed to confirm these results.

• Acupuncture: Some studies show that acupuncture can help improve vision in people with glaucoma and VMD.
• Yoga for the eyes: Some eye exercises used in yoga can help improve focus and reduce eye fatigue.
• Herbal additives: Some herbal additives, such as blueberries and ginkgo bilobe, can help improve blood circulation in the eyes and protect them from damage to free radicals.

Before using any alternative methods of treatment, consult a doctor to make sure that they are safe for you and do not interact with any medicines that you take.

Technology for improving vision: auxiliary means

There are many technologies that can help improve vision in people with visual impairments.

• Lups: Lups can help increase the size of the text and images, which facilitates reading and performing other tasks.
• Telescopic glasses: Telescopic glasses can help see objects at a distance, for example, when watching a TV or driving a car.
• Electronic lups: Electronic magnifiers increase the text and images on the screen of a computer or TV.
• Screens read programs: Programs for reading the screen convert the text into speech, which allows people with visual impairments to read books, articles and websites.
• Programs to increase the screen: Programs to increase the screen increase the size of the text and images on the computer screen.
• Special light filters: Special light filters can help improve contrast and reduce glare, which facilitates vision to people with sensitivity to light.

Psychological aspects of vision loss: how to deal with changes

Loss of vision can have a significant impact on the psychological state of a person. It is important to know how to deal with changes and get the necessary support.

• Recognition and acceptance: Recognition and adoption of loss of vision is an important step towards adaptation.
• Appeal for support: Support for your family, friends, support groups or mental health specialists.
• Studying new skills: Study new skills that will help you adapt to loss of vision, such as the use of cane, reading the font of Braille or using the screen for reading programs.
• Preservation of activity: Continue to do your favorite business and maintain social activity.
• Search for positive aspects: Try to find positive aspects in your life, despite the loss of vision.

Conclusion:

Maintaining the health of the eyes after 40 years requires an integrated approach, which includes a healthy lifestyle, regular eye examinations and timely treatment of diseases. Following these recommendations, you can maintain vision for many years and enjoy a full life.