What to Know About Healthy Vision in Your 50s

It is normal to experience some changes to your body as your age, but what about the eyes? Is it normal to have vision changes when we hit our 50s? The answer is yes and no. Some vision changes are a normal part of aging, but in other instances, changes may occur due to lifestyle choices or an eye disease instead of the normal aging process.

Knowing more about how your vision changes in your 50s and how to maintain good eye health helps decrease the risk of eye problems.
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What happens to your eyes after 50? 

There is nothing magical about turning 50 that affects your eyes, but it is often around the fifth decade that people start to notice some vision changes. Below are some common changes that can occur.

Presbyopia: The lens in the eye can harden as you move into your 50s. This can cause presbyopia, which is a technical way of saying farsightedness. Presbyopia can hit in your 40s, or it may not occur until you are in your 50s. That is why many people in their 40s and 50s find they start to need reading glasses for small print. According to the National Eye Institute, most middle-aged people eventually get some degree of presbyopia.

Increased risk of certain eye diseases: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people over the age of 40 have a greater risk of eye diseases than younger people. As you get older, that risk may increase. For instance, the risk of conditions such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma increases with age.

Healing may take longer: As we get older, it can take our bodies longer to recover and heal. This may mean if you get an eye injury or have eye surgery, the healing process may take longer than it did when you were in your 20s or 30s. Various processes that affect healing, such as circulation and the inflammatory response, may change.

Menopause may affect the eyes: Many women transition into menopause in their 50s. Menopause can increase the risk of dry eyes due to hormonal changes. 
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Protect your vision 

Not all changes to the eyes are inevitable. The lifestyle habits you maintain play a vital role in maintaining healthy vision throughout your life. There are several things you can do to promote good eye health in your 50s and beyond. Consider the following:

Have regular eye exams: Getting regular eye exams helps detect eye diseases early. The earlier eye problems are diagnosed, the better chance you may have of slowing the progression and preserving vision.

Eat an eye-healthy diet: Eating a well-balanced diet that includes healthy fats, lean protein, and fruits and vegetables promotes a healthy weight. Obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, can affect vision.

Limit alcohol: Too much alcohol can have negative effects on your overall health. Over time, excess alcohol use may increase your risk of certain conditions, such as cataracts.

Know your family’s eye history: Certain eye conditions tend to run in families. Knowing which conditions you may be at risk for helps you take steps to prevent them.

Exercise: Getting regular exercise is one of the best ways to stay healthy. It becomes even more important as we age. Regular exercise promotes a healthy weight, helps decrease the risk of certain diseases, and improves circulation. Improved circulation to the blood vessels in the eyes promotes healthy vision.

We hope the above information reminds you of ways to maintain good eye health in your 50s.  If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600. 
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