by Andrea Needham
The body changes in a lot of ways as we get older — some expected, some surprising. Most adults know their vision may worsen with age, but few understand how age affects the eyes. However, keeping up with eye health is an important part of staying safe as you age. If you’re in your 40s or 50s, this is what you should know about your eyes over the coming decades.
How the Eyes Change with Age
Even if you’ve always enjoyed perfect vision, you might start to notice vision changes as you approach the senior years. Reading small print becomes a challenge, floaters develop, and dry eyes are a common complaint.
Some vision changes are a normal part of aging, such as needing reading glasses to enjoy your morning paper or taking longer to adapt to sudden changes in lighting. However, other changes are signs of serious eye health problems. It’s not always easy to know what’s normal and what’s worth worrying about, so play it safe and see your doctor for routine vision checks.
Keeping up with eye care is also important for fall prevention. If you can’t see clearly, you’re more likely to trip over something or fail to notice a step in your path. Instead of avoiding glasses, recognize them for what they are: a key tool for maintaining independence as you age.
Medicare and Your Vision
Medicare covers certain services related to eye diseases, such as tests for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. However, Medicare Parts A and B won’t pay for routine vision exams or eyeglasses. Some seniors opt for a standalone vision plan to cover eye exams and glasses; however, a Medicare Advantage plan is a more cost-effective option. Instead of paying for a separate plan, seniors can get vision care and other supplemental benefits included with their Medicare coverage. Some Medicare Advantage plans don’t charge an additional premium, giving seniors access to these extra benefits at no cost.
Coping with Vision Loss
Vision loss can be distressing, but it shouldn’t hold you back from living your life. Use these tips to adapt to age-related vision loss.
Accommodating vision changes at home
`Vision loss increases your fall risk and makes familiar places difficult to navigate. To combat this problem, layer ambient and task lighting throughout the home and use contrasting colors for switches, outlets, dishes, bathroom fixtures, and other items so they’re easy to identify. Outdoor lighting is especially important — night vision tends to worsen with age, and you’ll need to see clearly when arriving home after dark.
Vision change and driving
Your risk of getting into car accidents increases as you get older, and vision loss is a big reason why. So, it’s important to always wear glasses while driving if your doctor recommends them and avoid driving after dark if you’ve noticed changes to your night vision. Eventually, you may have to give up your driver’s license. If your doctor predicts you’ll need to stop driving, consider moving closer to public transportation.
When to consider a guide dog
A guide dog can increase your independence and safety if you become legally blind. Guide dogs help people with visual impairments navigate at home and in public spaces. However, a guide dog is a big financial and time commitment. For more information, read the American Foundation for the Blind’s Q and A if you’re considering a guide dog.
Getting your first pair of reading glasses is a rite of passage that no one looks forward to. However, while avoiding readers might help you look a year or two younger, it won’t help you age safely and independently. Instead of denying your age-related vision loss, take care of your eyes and find a pair of glasses you can rock!
Image via Unsplash