Improving vision in old age: is it possible?
Natural wear and tear of eyesight is a common phenomenon that sets in after the age of 40 in most people. Is it possible to improve your eyesight even after turning forty?
Although we cannot speak of 40 as old age, we must bear in mind that the human body is no longer as adaptable as in our twenties or thirties. Deterioration of vision at this age is also called presbyopia.
Presbyopia, or age-related old sight
In age-related old sight the accommodation of the lens of the eye decreases; the lens naturally stops adapting to certain light conditions or to the distances of the objects seen, which is reflected in the sharpness of vision. With age, the lens loses the ability to change its optical power, i.e. to change its curvature, which is influenced by the contraction of the muscles and thereby focusing on objects takes place.
Most people suffer from presbyopia after the age of 40 to 45, even those who did not need glasses before. According to some information, rather more prone to age-related old sight are long-sightedthan short-sighted patients. Although it also occurs in those who did not need glasses before, with regular use of glasses the risk of its occurrence also increases.
Will eye exercises help?
So-called eye yoga achieves very positive results in some patients. Although some claim that it is a placebo effect, since these exercises are harmless, why not try them as an alternative? Watch a simple exercise in this video which, according to the people who practise it, should help to improve eyesight. The video is in English, but the eye movements themselves do not need more detailed instructions.
Our daily lifestyle
It is never too late to improve your lifestyle. Even if you feel the effect of ageing on your eyesight, a proper lifestyle can contribute to improving your eyesight even at an older age. What should you do?
Eat a nutritionally balanced diet
A diet rich in vitamins A, B, C, D and E is a matter of course for everyone, not only for those who want to improve their eyesight. A varied diet of leafy and root vegetables will provide you with these vitamins; specifically, lettuce, spinach and carrots are considered crops with a high content not only of the substances mentioned, but also of beta-carotene and iron. You will find vitamin C in sour citrus fruits, but also in peppers.
Do not forget healthy meat and fish either, which are a source of proteins and collagen, essential building blocks of our body. In addition, fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial to health.
Beware of bad habits
Neither smoking nor drinking alcohol benefits you or your eyes, but you surely knew that already. Nicotine narrows the blood vessels, which has a negative effect on blood circulation. Alcohol, in turn, can contribute to double or blurred vision, especially in the case of long-term use, when it also affects the optic nerve.
Another bad habit is “staying up late”. Allowing yourself healthy sleep of at least 7 hours should not be a luxury, but a responsible approach to your body and eyes.
A more serious problem - cataract
Cataract, i.e. grey cataract (popularly called grey cataract), is a more serious problem that also appears with advancing age. It got its name from the colour of the lens, which in this disease also changes colour and takes on a grey tint. In cataract, as the name suggests, the lens becomes clouded and loses its transparency, which affects the processing of the image.
Treatment of cataract
Cataract cannot be cured with medication, i.e. non-invasively. To get rid of it, you need to undergo surgery. The good news: cataract surgery is painless and takes less than 30 minutes. What matters is that the cataract is detected in time. The surgery then performed is simple and consists of removing the clouded part of the lens and replacing it with an artificial lens.
Do not wait until it is too late
If you feel that your vision is no longer what it used to be, it is high time for a preventive check-up with an ophthalmologist. Our specialists can help you even in the case of cataract, so do not wait and get in touch with us.
