40's and 50's

You rely on your sight to enjoy life to the fullest—and to get your work done.  Yet, over time, your vision may change. As you age, the muscles of the eye become less flexible, and have a harder time focusing on objects that are close. You may need more light to see. You may have a harder time differentiating shades of blue and green. The condition is called presbyopia and it happens to nearly everyone; another stage in your eye development.

As you reach your forties or fifties, you’ll notice that just about everyone in your age group uses some type of vision correction, like glasses or multi-focal contact lenses. Beyond corrective lenses, there are other options to consider: If you’d nearsighted, farsighted or you have astigmatism and you’d like to make vision correction unnecessary, laser surgery and Vision Shaping Therapy (VST) are two safe and effective alternatives.

Be sure to visit the eye doctor regularly—and learn about potential eye concerns. By being well-informed, you can learn to recognize signs of trouble—and possibly cure or slow a sight-threatening disease.  In between eye exams, if you notice a change in your vision —or your eye is injured in any way— contact your doctor.

Rest, regular exercise and proper nutrition are vital for your long-term eye health. Studies have shown that antioxidant minerals and other vitamins may help combat free radicals, and slow or prevent related diseases. Free radicals are unstable molecules—unchecked, they can damage cells in the eye, which may lead to serious vision problems, such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.