Are you having trouble with your vision as you get older?
Getting older brings lots of noticeable changes to our body and our health. If you’ve noticed that you suddenly need to squint when reading the paper or you have trouble reading the menu at restaurants you may be dealing with presbyopia, a condition that affects most adults around middle age. As you’ve probably surmised, presbyopia makes it difficult to see objects that are up close. If you have concerns about your vision, it’s important to bring them up with our Lake Orion, MI, board-certified family doctor Dr. Joseph Gorz during your next checkup.
What causes presbyopia?
This condition occurs as the lens of the eyes harden. This isn’t usually a cause for concern; it’s just a natural part of aging. Since the lens isn’t as flexible as it once was, it makes it difficult for the eyes to focus on images up close. Besides age, there are certain risk factors that could also predispose someone to presbyopia.
These factors include health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease (this can lead to premature presbyopia, which occurs before the age of 40) or certain medications such as antidepressants. If you are concerned that your presbyopia may be related to certain health problems or medications, it’s important that you talk with Dr. Gorz.
How is presbyopia corrected?
The good news is that there are lot of ways to correct this problem. You may choose to get glasses or contact lenses to improve your vision. If you already wear glasses, then an optometrist may recommend bifocals to help your eyes focus on objects both near and far at the same time. Some patients decide to get laser eye surgery to correct the issue permanently. It’s important to discuss your treatment options with your doctor to find the one that will best fit your needs and lifestyle.
Here at Neighborhood Primary Care, we provide vision screenings to all patients, from children to seniors. If you have concerns about your vision, be sure to schedule an appointment by calling (248) 690-9181.
The information is provided to you by Dr. Joe Gorz at Neighborhood Primary Care.