How's Your Vision?

Age 40 to 59

During middle age, many people experience changes in their vision. In this life phase you are at risk of developing age-related conditions, such as presbyopia or early-stage cataracts. This time of life may also be an opportunity to improve and clarify your vision with LASIK corrective eye surgery. 
Hart Eye Center is committed to creating a relationship with each patient in order to fully understand his or her specific vision needs. We will work with you until you are viewing the world with your best possible vision.

Presbyopia
Presbyopia is the most common eye condition for people, beginning in their 40s or 50s. It is caused by the gradual loss of flexibility in the eye’s lens. This lessening of elasticity makes it difficult for the eye to focus at a close range, as when reading.

A person with presbyopia may need to hold reading materials at arm’s length in order to focus properly, and may experience headaches, eyestrain or feelings of fatigue when performing near-vision activities, such as working on the computer, embroidery or handwriting.

Presbyopia is a common condition; almost everyone experiences it as they age through their 40s and 50s.

Hart Eye Center takes an individualized approach to treating presbyopia, whether it’s finding the right glasses or contacts to fit your vision needs, lifestyle and personality—or determining whether a corrective procedure is the best decision. Hart Eye Center’s goal is helping you see better for the rest of your life.

Early-Stage Cataracts
While cataracts are typically thought of as a disease of the elderly, early-stage cataracts can begin occurring in one’s 40s and 50s.

The good new is, early-stage cataracts can be removed before they cause significant vision loss. And the replacement of the lens during the cataract removal procedure allows many people to see well afterward without glasses—near and far.

It is important to speak with your eye doctor about early-stage cataracts if you have the following risk factors:
•    Hereditary predisposition to cataracts
•    Long exposure to UV rays
•    Diabetes
•    Long-term steroid use
•    Smoking

It is also imperative to see your eye doctor if you experience the following symptoms:
•    Blurred vision
•    Double vision
•    “Ghost images” or shadows in your field of vision.
•    The sensation of a “film” being over your eye.
•    While doing close-up work, light levels may seem too dim. Strong light may seem overpowering.
•    You continue to change your vision prescription, but your eyesight does not improve.
•    Sometimes, one may be able to see a cataract. It may have a milky appearance or a yellowish spot on your pupil.

 LASIK
If your vision is affected by myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) or astigmatism, LASIK corrective eye surgery may remove your dependency on glasses and contacts.

Women’s Eye Health

At this life stage, women in particular should pay particular attention to eye care and vision health. Many women suffer from eye diseases later in life, now is the time to take measures to prevent these dangerous conditions.