The effects of ageing eyes become more common once we’ve hit the milestone age of 40. The ageing process causes our eyes to be less efficient in performing normal visual functions and results in individuals needing additional eye-care assistance to see well. Don’t be alarmed if you start experiencing ageing visual disorders from as early as 36 years of age, because this is when the eye-ageing process starts for many people. Ageing eyes also carry additional risks such as an increased chance of having sight-damaging disorders, trouble reading, tired eyes, dry eyes, computer vision syndrome and digital eye fatigue.
A regular visit to your nearest Dynamic Vision Optometrist will assure you to pick up on early signs of ageing eyesight conditions in time. The earliest signs of ageing eyes include: losing the ability to focus on things that are close-up (presbyopia), difficulty adapting to different lighting environments and tending to need more light to be able to see things clearly.
Presbyopia, the reduction in our close vision is one of the first signs of ageing to look out for. In this case, objects such as a newspaper, need to be held further away to be able to see. This is caused by gradual hardening of the lens which can lead to the eye focussing light behind, and not on the retina when looking at nearby items. Many people get their first introduction to a pair of reading glasses because of this disorder.
There are however, ways to limit and even prevent the impact of ageing on your eyesight. Listed here, are a few general eye-care tips that can help:
- Have routine eye exams at least every year and discuss all concerns you have about your eyes and vision with your optometrist. It is generally recommended to change your reading glasses regularly and consider different types of glasses for different requirements, for example you would require a different pair of reading glasses for bedtime compared to computer work. Remember prevention is the cure.
- Let your optometrist recommend vision correction options – start with an accommodative fatigue lens that includes Blue Control. Blue Control reduces the blue light emitted by digital screens, minimising glare and enhancing contrast.
- Eat a healthy balanced diet that is high in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.
- Allow yourself more time to adjust to changing light conditions and avoid reading in dim lighting environments.
- Try to wear lenses with a reflection free coating to protect your eyes from prolonged exposure to computer and mobile screens.
- If you already wear glasses for distance, talk to your optometrist about multifocal lenses, which will help you see objects at all distances. It is better to start wearing them sooner rather than later, as it gets more difficult to adapt to them as you get older.
- Make sure to get yourself a comfortable pair of fashionable frames that makes you look and feel great – this is the only way you will wear them religiously and prevent further eye damage.
Eye-care should be part of our everyday lives and the earlier we start to take care of our eyes the better. Enormous developments in lens technology are making lenses thinner and lighter. This means less lens material can be used to provide sharper vision, and lenses are more comfortable and can easily fit into fashionable frames. Modern lenses look no different from normal spectacles and therefore would not make you look old.
Dynamic Vision pride themselves on the high-quality lenses they offer. For instance, lifestyle lenses such as the Oakley Prizm Multifocal lenses for golf and cycling, performance lenses that are aspheric to reduce distortion and appear thinner, and high performance lenses that are digitally designed to suit each person’s specific needs.
Dynamic Vision recommends SEIKO branded optical lenses for ageing eye-care. SEIKO Optical is renowned for manufacturing the lightest and the thinnest high-tech spectacle lenses in the industry. They offer a three year warranty on their coatings as well as a three month non-adaption exchange guarantee.
If you are over the age of 40 and spend more than three hours per day on screen time, we highly recommend SEIKO computer lenses. It is advised to include a SEIKO Super Resistant Blue reflection free tint to reduce the harmful effect of blue light. For distance vision correction, you can also upgrade your lenses to SEIKO Emblem Multifocal lenses, known as the premium progressive lenses for natural vision. It is advised to get used to these lenses sooner rather than later to reduce eyestrain and irritation for people who are near or farsighted.
Computer support lenses are also recommended for students and office workers who are still under the age of 40, and spend more than four hours a day looking at computer screens. These lenses will relax their eyes, reduce eyestrain, and most importantly prevent long-term eye damage. Make sure to visit your nearest Dynamic Vision Optometrist for a comprehensive eye test, and receive customised advice on how to care for your eyes. Also, have a look at the Dynamic Vision Facebook page for more interesting facts on eye care and visit the Find A Store page for information on your nearest branch.
