Most people feel that when it reaches the age of 40 years began to experience decreased vision, even if previously good vision. Decreased visual function is an inevitable result of the aging process is associated with chronic illness or degenerative disease.
Some changes or decreases associated with sense of vision with age, as quoted from BBCHealth, among others:
1. Usually becomes more difficult to read, especially if the lighting is less.
This is called presbyopia and occurs because of changes in eye tissue. Especially in the eye lens becomes larger and less flexible. Thus affecting the ability of the lens to focus. This can be corrected by wearing glasses with the appropriate size.
2. Dazzled
Glare can also be a problem as a change in the lens of the eye. So that these changes cause the light entering the eye will spread so that the focus is not right.
3. Difficulty distinguishing colors
Some people also experience decreased color perception. So that it becomes difficult to distinguish the different color shades.
4. The eyes become more dry
Important changes in the eye associated with age is that the eyes become more dry. This is caused by tears produced less and viscosity changes, so the tears are less efficient in forming a protective layer that lubricates the eye.
At the same time a variety of eye diseases and other conditions may start to occur, so that it can aggravate the decline in visual function. Some eye diseases and other conditions, among others:
1. Glaucoma
Fluid continues to flow, in and out of the eye. However, in glaucoma, the flow out of the liquid is inhibited. Thus causing the pressure inside the eyeball increases. It may damage the optic nerve and nerve fibers in the retina, and eventually can cause blindness.
2. Cataract
Cataract is a clouding of the lens that prevents light reaching the back of the eye, making it difficult to see clearly. Cataracts are most often develops in older people, but prompt treatment can restore vision.
Cataract is growing as women age. So it is called with age-related cataracts. Smoking and exposure to ultraviolet radiation is a risk factor for cataracts.
Other causes of cataracts include diseases such as diabetes, treatment with certain drugs, as well as inflammation and injury to the eye is too long. The symptoms that commonly occur associated with cataracts, including blurred vision and cloudy or hazy vision.
3. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
AMD is a disease of the macula, the area in the center of the retina. The macula contains a very high density of light receptors, especially the cone receptors. Cone receptor is a receptor that can detect colors. So that the macula is very important to see fine detail on an object directly opposite.
Macula plays an important role in helping to read, write, drive, and perform other detailed tasks. It is also possible to recognize faces and see the color. AMD can lead to loss of central vision. There are 2 types of AMD, among others:
4. Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the causes of cataracts. Many elderly people with a history of diabetes, so that it can exacerbate the decline in vision that occur.
5. High blood pressure (hypertension)
Hypertension can cause the heart to work harder than usual. Thus causing the heart and arteries have a greater risk for damage.
Hypertension may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, eye damage, congestive heart failure, and atherosclerosis.
To address the decline of vision related to the older age can be a way, among others:
1. Perform eye tests at least every 2 years and always make sure glasses are in good condition.
2. Consult a doctor for problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes, as well as taking medication as recommended to prevent damage to the eye.
3. Using reading glasses or bifocal / varifocals.
4. If you want to read, before ensuring that the lighting is quite good.
5. Use eye drops or artificial tears to keep the eyes lubricated and comfortable stay.
6. If you often read on electronic media, such as computer or mobile phone screen, can magnify the text to the font to be larger.