The fear of blindness is one of the most common phobias.
We talk about the most common eye diseases that develop after 40 years, and what to do to maintain vision at an older age. br>
We are all more or less ready for the fact that after 40-45 years our vision may deteriorate: perhaps you will need reading glasses or age-related farsightedness will develop. But here’s what you most likely don’t know: at this age, serious eye diseases can appear — even if you didn’t have any problems with your eyesight, but directly with your eyes. We will tell you what diseases of the organs of vision most often develop after 40 years, how not to miss them, and what to do if they do appear. objects located near you. Unfortunately, almost none of us will be able to avoid it. True, there is conditionally good news: if you are nearsighted and wear glasses or lenses, most likely you will develop presbyopia later than your peers.
Why this happens
Our eyes have lenses that help you focus on objects. The lenses are flexible enough and change their size depending depending on at what distance from we are the object we are looking at. However, as the lens loses its elasticity and becomes stiffer (and can not enlarge or contract so easily), the eye muscles that help the lens also weaken.
What can be done
First of all, get your eyes checked regularly — even if you don't think you have any problems. If your doctor diagnoses presbyopia, he will prescribe reading glasses for you. If you already wear glasses for distance, consider getting glasses with «double» lenses: the top lens helps you see objects in the distance, the middle lens helps you see objects in between, and the bottom lens helps you see those that are close.
Cataract
We used to think that this is a disease of the elderly, but in fact it can appear almost at any time after we turn 40 years old. That's why it's important to know the signs of the disease and contact your doctor as soon as you notice them.
Why it happens
A cataract occurs when the normally clear lens of our eye begins to become cloudy. People often complain that they feel like they are looking at the world through a foggy window. Other symptoms include blurred vision, fading or yellowing of colors, sensitivity to light, and increasing difficulty seeing at night.
Why does the disease develop? Throughout our lives, our eyes absorb a lot of ultraviolet radiation, some of which hits the back of the eye, as the cornea (the transparent protective layer of the eye) and lens filter out dangerous light. Under the influence of radiation, the lens gradually turns yellow, and when a sufficient amount of yellowness is accumulated, a cataract is formed. Factors that increase the risk of cataracts include age, heredity, injury to the eye or head.
What to do about it
The good news is that most cataracts develop very slowly and do not affect the quality of vision at an early stage. And one more good news: modern methods of laser surgery allow you to remove cataract quickly, easily and practically at any age. So, in our country there were cases when cataracts were successfully removed for patients over the age of 90.
Glaucoma
In fact, this is a group of eye diseases in which the nerve that connects the eye to the brain is damaged — the so-called optic nerve, which provides good vision. And although glaucoma isn related to aging, the risk increases after age 40.
Why it happens
Damage to the optic nerve is caused by the accumulation of fluid inside the eye. Fluid is normally expelled from the eye, but if too much fluid accumulates, intraocular pressure rises. Under the influence of this pressure, the optic nerve is slowly destroyed, and glaucoma sets in, and with it, loss of vision.
What to do about it
The good news is that glaucoma is treatable. The doctor may prescribe eye drops that lower intraocular pressure, and at a more serious stage, laser treatment or surgery is possible. But it's important to know that visual damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed. In addition, it happens imperceptibly, painlessly and almost asymptomatically. Therefore, it is very important to have your vision checked by an ophthalmologist every year: only a doctor can notice an increase in intraocular pressure in time.
Macular degeneration
We see colors and can clearly see small details, thanks to the macula — the part of the retina located in eyes. However, with age, it becomes thinner, due to which vision weakens or becomes blurry.
Why this happens
Partly the risk of developing the disease determines heredity, but lifestyle plays a big role. Smoking, obesity and malnutrition, as well as constant exposure to blue light (for example, from a smartphone) literally destroy the cells of the macula.
What to do about it
As with most eye diseases, the sooner degeneration is detected yellow spots, the better. Unfortunately, today doctors cannot treat macular degeneration, but it is known that a healthy diet high in antioxidants (for example, vitamin C) and quitting smoking help keep macular cells in good condition.