No. Growing older does not always mean you see poorly. Many older people have relatively good eyesight well into their eighties and beyond. But age can bring changes that may weaken your eyes, making reading in particular more difficult. There are some easy things to try when these changes happen. You might add brighter lights in more places around the house--like at work counters, stairways, and favorite reading places. This may help you see better and can sometimes prevent accidents caused by weak eyesight. You might need prescription glasses for reading, or simple reading glasses bought at the drug store might be enough. If you already have eyeglasses, you might need a stronger prescription.
Cataracts are common among older people. Cataracts are cloudy areas in part or all of the eye lens. The lens is usually clear and let’s light through. Cataracts keep light from easily passing through the lens, and this causes loss of eyesight. Cataracts often form slowly and cause no pain, redness, or tearing in the eye. If a cataract becomes large or thick, it usually can be removed by surgery.
Glaucoma is another common eye disease. This is the result of too much fluid pressure inside the eye. It can lead to vision loss and blindness. The cause of glaucoma is unknown. African-American women over the age of forty are at particular risk for glaucoma, as are all women over 60. If treated early, glaucoma often can be controlled and blindness prevented. To find glaucoma, the eye doctor will look at your eyes through dilated pupils. Treatment may be prescription eye drops, oral medications, or surgery. Most people with glaucoma have no early symptoms or pain from increased pressure.
As always, it is important to see your doctor regularly to check on your eye sight and other related problems
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