As we age, it is natural for our vision to change. From childhood through adulthood, various factors contribute to how well we see and what types of eye problems can affect our sight. Discover some of the most common ways that vision changes with age and how you can protect your vision with the help of a great eye doctor in Bothell, WA.
How Vision Changes in the Preteen and Teen Years
- One of the most common vision problems that can develop in preteens and teens is myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness. This occurs when distant objects appear blurry due to a refractive error of the eye.
- Hyperopia, also called farsightedness, is another refractive error that results in poor near vision and sometimes inadequate depth perception. Most people are born with this problem. If it is not corrected early enough, it will worsen as you get older.
- Astigmatism is another common condition that causes difficulty seeing clearly, regardless of the distance between you and an object. It affects how clearly objects appear, making things look stretched out along their vertical axes. This type of eye issue can more often be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, depending on its severity.
How Vision Changes in Early Adulthood
- During this period of your life, the lens of your eyes becomes thicker and more yellow. This affects the eye’s ability to focus light properly, leading to blurred vision or glare from bright lights. It can also cause dark spots in your vision at night.
- Aging can also bring alterations to the retina, such as macular degeneration. This condition occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and lead to loss of central vision. This type of visual impairment is particularly troubling because there is no way to treat it, according to a specialist in optical care in Bothell, WA.
How Vision Changes in Middle and Late Adulthood
- Cataracts are a common eye concern in later years. They occur as the normally clear lens of the eye becomes increasingly opaque and cloudy over time. This leads to decreased vision, especially in low-light settings. Cataract surgery has proven to be a practical solution, but one should know the potential risks before undergoing this procedure.
- Glaucoma, another common condition in this stage of life, happens due to elevated pressure inside the eye, creating blind spots. These blind spots can wipe out entire regions of vision if left untreated. Periodic check-ups with a Bothell optometrist are recommended to ensure vision problems get caught early on.
Protect your eyes as you age by scheduling regular checkups at Alderwood Optical & Canyon Park Vision Clinic. Give us a call at (425) 771-8472 (Lynnwood) or (425) 485-0430 (Bothell) or send us a message online.