The ups and downs of sight, from birth to adulthood
They say that life begins at 40. It’s also when you might start noticing eye changes – even if you’ve never had issues before. Just as our bodies get a little slower with age, eyes do too. And while some changes are just part of growing older, the good news is that others can be prevented or managed. Here’s what you need to know.
The key to optimal optic health
Here’s what you can do to keep your eyes working well for as long as possible:
- Get outside
Cone cells are photoreceptor cells in our retinas that help us see color. Cones are stimulated by light – so if we aren’t seeing any daylight, they’re not being used. Plus, going outside gives your eyes a break from staring at close objects and a chance to practice focusing on things in the distance.
- Eat your greens
If you need more reasons to eat your greens, here are two: lutein and zeaxanthin. These two antioxidants, found in dark, leafy vegetables, have been praised for their ability to filter blue rays and prevent retinal damage.
- Quit smoking
Smoking puts you at greater risk of developing certain eye conditions – not to mention many other health issues. If you’ve been on the fence about quitting, do it for the sake of your vision.
- Take a break from your screen
Blurry vision, headaches, and sore eyes – these symptoms will sound familiar to anyone who spends a lot of time on a screen. And now, there’s proof that too much screen time can damage light-sensitive cells in our retina, which, after a while, could lead to impaired sight.
- Get regular check-ups
You wouldn’t go years without having a check-up with the doctor or dentist, so why leave it that long to care for your eyes? Make it an annual commitment – you might catch issues early enough to treat.
The long and the short of sight as you age
As babies, our vision is blurred and can take several months to come into focus. We reach full vision anywhere between three and five years old. Everyone’s sight is different, but you can expect eyesight to be at its prime between the ages of 19 and 40.
As we age, our sight inevitably deteriorates. So if you’re struggling to read the morning newspaper, you aren’t imagining things – your eyes are probably changing. Here are some common changes you might notice to your eyes as you get a little older and wiser:
Baby blues and different hues
Did you know that our eyes can change color after we’re born? Babies with dark-skinned heritage are usually born with brown eyes that remain that color into adulthood. But among lighter-skinned populations, it’s common for most babies to be born with blue eyes, with only 1 in 6 still blue-eyed in adulthood. But why? It’s because of melanin – the protein in our bodies that produces our hair, eyes, and skin pigmentation. The more melanin you have, the darker these features will be. Babies have low melanin levels, but as they spend more time in light, melanin increases and their eyes may change color. Eye color is usually evident by nine months but can take up to three years to set.
Glasses
Some of us need glasses earlier than others. But worryingly, glasses-wearing is on a hard and fast incline – and it’s predicted that by 2050, nearly half the world will need glasses. Increased screen exposure is partly to blame, but experts are also finding that we’re not spending enough time in sunlight. Screens and sun aside, it’s normal for older adults to need glasses – so if you’re experiencing frequent headaches, blurred vision, or you’re squinting to read things, chat to your optometrist to see if you need glasses.
Cataracts
If you’ve got blurry or cloudy vision and yellowing of your eye, it could be a cataract. Cataracts are caused by proteins in the eye that begin to break down as we grow older. Cataracts develop slowly and may not cause issues early on, but with time, they could be major visual disruptions. Some health conditions like diabetes or steroid medication may increase your risk of developing a cataract.
Loss of color vision
Brand new babies are colorblind and only see in black and white until around 4 months – just in time to start enjoying colorful books. But as our eyes age, the color-detecting starts to deteriorate. That means colors may appear less bright, or you may easily mistake colors for one another.
Dry eyes
Dry eye is another common condition usually caused by aging. It’s more common in women than men because of fluctuating hormone levels – particularly after menopause. These sore, gritty and painful eyes are caused by tears that don’t adequately lubricate.
Presbyopia
If you need to hold the restaurant menu at arm’s length, you may have presbyopia. It’s when your eyes lose their natural ability to flex and bring objects into focus – which means you can no longer see things up close. Unfortunately, it’s part of growing older – and there’s no cure other than prescription glasses.
Floaters
Vitreous, the gel-like liquid that fills the space between the lens and the retina of our eyeballs, slowly changes as we age and becomes more liquid. As this happens, fibers inside the vitreous can clump together and create small floaters or shadows over your retina. While usually harmless, floaters can disrupt vision, and you should see your optometrist if they’re bothering you.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. It’s caused by gradual damage to the optic nerve and is most common in older adults. With early diagnosis and treatment, you have a chance of saving your sight. If you have any symptoms, such as loss of peripheral vision, eye pain, severe headaches, or reddening eyes, make a prompt trip to your optometrist.
Loss of peripheral vision
It’s normal to have lost much of your peripheral vision by the time you reach your 70th birthday, but if it’s accompanied by other symptoms such as headaches, it could be a sign of a more serious disease.
Age gracefully and keep an eye on your eyes
Just as our bodies get tired as we age, our eyes and vision do too. Many of these changes are inevitable and part of the joys of growing older. However, there are things you can do to keep your eyes in the best possible health – live a healthy, balanced lifestyle with a colorful diet of whole foods, get out into the sunlight, take a break from your screen, and check in with your optometrist regularly.
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