Over 40 with Vision Changes? You’re not alone. (A patient’s perspective)
Something funny happened at my eye exam (important detail for later: I had just turned 39). My eye doctor warned me of big changes coming my way after 40. I think her words may have been “You are getting old. Brace yourself.”
I’m near-sighted, or myoptic as they say in the optical world. Although my vision had been stable for the last few years and even improved slightly I was told that my near vision would likely shift, and soon.
Over the next year I noticed something happening amongst my friend group…while we were out to brunch one of my girlfriends couldn’t focus on the menu. You know how this goes: the holding of the menu up close and then slowly moving it away from her face trying to get her eyes to focus on the small print. By the time she had fully extended her arm out another friend had offered her glasses to help the friend-in-distress see clearly. We all laughed and made an aging joke but my optometrist’s words echoed in my mind. Was this an actual phenomenon? We hit 40 and magically our eyeballs decide to shape-shift?
So I did what everyone does and I Googled to verify and learn more. My results echoed what the doctor had told me; with aging my eye’s ability to adjust and focus becomes lessened. The lenses of the eyes also become less flexible due to the natural aging process. This results in difficulty focusing on objects up close - or presbyopia. I also read that nearly everyone experiences the need to hold reading materials farther away from their eyes. NEARLY EVERYONE. I was shocked. I felt too young for this change. Then I continued reading on my internet search journey…
Disclaimer: I just want to say, sometimes deep diving into Google isn’t great. (Even if your eye doctor has prepared you for it.) Read on if you dare.
So not only do your lenses change within your eyeball, but also after the age of 40 eyes lessen the amount of tears they produce. This results in something called dry eyes (I know, less tears makes sense that eyes would be dry.) But it’s an actual disease. It can cause corneal ulcers, infections and damage if not treated. Did I mention the discomfort it causes? Dry, gritty, irritated eyes. Sometimes (I read) it even causes the body to produce an excess of tears because the eyeball can’t hold hydration on the surface of the eye. (The meibomian glands in your eye excrete oil to hold moisture on the eyeball. These glands also experience the ill effects of aging and slow or stop working.) Oh boy. More to look forward to. My eye doctor warned me of this as well…and did mention she has treatment options in-office that are beyond just eye drops (which often only provide temporary relief).
The rates of all sorts of eye conditions and diseases increase with age. (I guess that’s why they recommend a yearly eye exam cited in every single webpage I sourced.) Things like glaucoma, cataracts, age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and more.
For now the glasses I’m enjoying at brunch are the ones I’m drinking out of. I’m ready for what might come if (or when) that menu becomes hard to read. I’m scoping out the latest eyewear fashions and actually getting excited about being able to add to my outfit accessories in the form of eyewear.
If you need an eye doctor that gives you the low-down on what to expect, and the only place I will go to get the very best in exclusive frames and high quality lenses I highly recommend Dr. Evie Lawson.
Want an eye exam? Text or call 206-467-1006 or schedule online via our website.
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