It is important to set your sights on serious eye problems that may be taking place.
Eyes aren’t exempt from the wear and tear of ageing. Some of the age-related changes in the eyes are annoying but not serious — for example, it can become difficult to focus on near objects, and eyelashes may thin out a bit. But other changes can threaten vision.
Information from Harvard Medical School says that with age, the eyes’ ability to stay lubricated starts to wane. This can leave eyes feeling irritated, sticky, dry, or gritty. The lens of the eye can become less elastic. Night vision may also start to suffer, which can pose problems when driving at night.
Furthermore, cataracts (the process of normal body ageing can cause the eye lens to become increasingly more cloudy and thus difficult to see through); macular degeneration (another condition largely of ageing, that causes blurred or distorted vision, straight lines might appear wavy, there may be partial loss of vision, inability to see in dim light, or may see spots). Similarly diabetic retinopathy (most commonly associated with diabetes) can damage vision; and other conditions can progressively rob you of your sight if not diagnosed and managed well.
How do you know if an eye problem is a nuisance or the start of something serious? The following signs and symptoms warrant a call to your doctor. Catching serious eye problems early can help preserve your vision. Even non-vision-threatening problems can be treated to keep your eyes comfortable and your eyesight as sharp as possible.