Age-Related Vision Changes to Watch Out For
- Posted on: Nov 29 2017
As with all of the body’s organs, your eyes will experience natural changes as you age. It’s perfectly normal to have a harder time focusing on objects up close, or to see the occasional floater move past your field of vision. In this blog post, New York City LASIK surgery specialist Dr. Gregory Pamel describes some age-related changes in your vision to look out for, that could indicate more serious health issues down the road.
Loss of Peripheral Vision
If you suddenly find yourself having difficulty seeing things off to the side, you should schedule an appointment with your eye doctor soon. Loss of peripheral vision can be a symptom of glaucoma, a serious condition that can lead to a damaged optic nerve. Left untreated, glaucoma can result in nerve tissue loss, which leads to a permanent loss of vision. Regular screenings and eye exams can catch glaucoma early on, and prevent it from progressing to the advanced stages of vision damage.
Seeing Increased Floaters or Flashes
Most people experience “floaters” in their field of vision. These small, semitransparent particles move around within the vitreous (the fluid inside your eye). Normally they are not cause for concern, but if you suddenly experience more floaters than usual, you should contact your ophthalmologist as soon as possible. An increase in floaters, especially accompanied by flashes, can indicate a tear in your retina. Retinal tears are serious conditions that could lead to retinal detachment and vision loss if not treated immediately.
Vision Fluctuations
In some cases, people experience fluctuations in their vision, and find themselves unable to see things as clearly as they are accustomed to. Frequent fluctuations could be a sign of hypertension (high blood pressure) or diabetes, both very serious conditions that can lead to a host of other issues down the road. These fluctuations can lead to damaged blood vessels in the retina, which in turn can give rise to permanent vision loss.
Your eyes feel the effects of aging like any other part of your body. Many changes you experience are completely normal, but when in doubt, it’s best to call your doctor. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Pamel, call the Pamel Vision and Laser Group at (212) 355-2215.
Posted in: Eye Health
