Why does our sight get worse after age 40?

 

One day, we realize that we must zoom out what we are reading to focus better and we need to enlarge the letter of the computer. What are the solutions to this visual process.

 It is normal for people to experience visual changes after the age of 40, especially when focusing on nearby objects. The medical term for this condition is presbyopia or eyestrain, which usually begins after that age and continues to progress until age 65.

Presbyopia is part of the natural aging process of the eye and consists of a decrease in the accommodation capacity of the visual system. This decrease begins to occur in adolescence and it is in the middle of life, when one is still young, when changes in daily actions are perceived.

Presbyopia manifests itself gradually. After age 40, you may notice the following signs and symptoms for the first time:

• A proclivity to keep reading content longer in order to see letters more clearly
• Blurred vision at a normal reading distance
• Eye strain or headaches after reading or doing detailed work.
• You may notice that these symptoms get worse if you are tired or are in a dimly lit area.

Presbyopia causes a particular phenomenon in those people who are myopic because they may notice that they see better than before. Astigmatism and hyperopia, on the other hand, add to the visual impairment.

What should we do if we notice some of these symptoms?

The first and fundamental thing is to go to the ophthalmologist at least once a year and be very attentive to any obvious change in vision. The professional is solely responsible for detecting if there is a visual dysfunction and recommending solutions to treat it. Self-diagnosis is invalid.

In this sense, there are several solutions for people with presbyopia or eyestrain, such as the prescription of glasses with monofocal, occupational, bifocal, trifocal or progressive lenses or even surgical operations. Today there are lenses that, in addition to correction to improve vision, regulate the amount of light that enters the eye by adapting to ambient light. They also have UV filters and filters for blue light, which is the light that screens produce. 

It is also good to adopt proper ergonomic guidelines, since muscle fatigue in the back can cause visual fatigue. Pay attention to using proper lighting at home and work. Take rest periods when you spend a lot of time in front of the television or computer. In addition, for proper eye function, it is necessary to eat a diet rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, zinc and essential fatty acids, a deficit of any of them can trigger vision problems. It is also important to exercise, avoid tobacco, and not self-medicate.