From birth to old age, your eyes will undergo many changes. Though most people recognize the importance of protecting their vision, the eyes are often overlooked (no pun intended) when considering overall health. By learning how the eyes change over time, you can take better care of your eyes, recognize early signs of eye conditions, and help prevent vision loss.
Babies
An infant’s eyes are not fully developed until about the first year. By this time, a baby with healthy eyes will have formed connections between the eyes and brain, learned to focus, gained the ability to see a wide range of colors, and developed depth perception. Around the 12-month mark, babies can judge distances and may even be able to throw items with accuracy.[1]
During a child’s first year, a pediatrician should check vision at each well visit to make sure it is developing on track.
Children and Teens
By two years old, a child should have well-developed hand-eye coordination. It is between the ages of two and five that vision problems begin to show symptoms. According to the American Public Health Association, about 10% of preschoolers have eye or vision problems. Signs may include:
· Sitting too close to the TV or holding books too close
· Excessive squinting, eye rubbing, or blinking
· Covering one eye
· Complaints of eye discomfort or fatigue
· Head tilting or turning to look at something straight ahead
· Sensitivity to light
· Difficulty with hand-eye or body-eye coordination
· Avoiding activities that require visual focus like coloring, puzzles, or reading
If you notice any of these signs, arrange a visit to the eye doctor.[2]
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, eye injuries are the most common cause of blindness in children. Protecting against eye injury is especially important for kids and teens involved in sports.[3] Forms of eye protection include:
· Wearing sunglasses that protect against UVA and UVB radiation when outside in the daytime
· Wearing protective eyewear (made with polycarbonate lenses) during sports like baseball, basketball, football, tennis, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, and other activities that involve projectiles
· Teaching proper contact lens care to prevent eye infections
· Keeping young children away from cleaning products and other chemicals
· Using the 20-20-20 rule for screen time—Look up from the screen every 20 minutes and focus at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
If your child is not showing any signs of a vision problem, they will likely only need one eye exam between ages three and five, one before beginning first grade, and a yearly exam through age 17.[4]
Adults
Most adults should schedule a comprehensive dilated eye exam every two years to check for eye diseases. Many eye diseases do not have any symptoms or warning signs, but any of the following reasons may indicate that it is time to see an eye doctor sooner:
· Eye redness
· Worsening vision
· Excessive eye watering
· Double vision
· Eye pain
· Floaters (specks that appear to be floating in your vision)
· Halos around lights
· Flashes of light[5]
Some people are at a higher risk for developing eye diseases so an eye doctor may recommend more frequent eye exams for the following populations:
· People with a personal or family history of eye disease, including cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or macular degeneration
· People with diabetes, which can lead to diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or cataracts
· People who have had eye surgery or an eye injury in the past
· People who wear contact lenses
· People who have a visually demanding job
· People who have worsening vision5
If you are worried you may be at an increased risk for eye disease, talk to your doctor. You may be able to take steps to help prevent new or worsening conditions. Lifestyle changes may include:
· Eating nutritious foods to ensure your diet has nutrients that support eye health
· Getting active to manage or lower your risk of conditions that can cause eye diseases, like diabetes and high blood pressure
· Quitting smoking, which can cause vision problems and harm the optic nerve
· Wearing protective eyewear during sports, home repairs, and in the sun[6]
Seniors
It is common to experience vision changes as you change, especially after age 50 or 60. Most changes to the aging eye do not harm your vision, your prescription may change as you age. These are the most common eye diseases and conditions in older adults:
· Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the gradual blurring of central vision.
· Diabetic retinopathy occurs when diabetes affects blood vessels in the retina.
· Cataracts are cloudy spots in the eye lens that cause blurred vision.
· Glaucoma is caused by too much fluid pressure in the eye and can lead to blindness.
· Dye eye occurs when tear glands do not produce enough to keep eyes comfortable, which results in tingling, burning, and other discomfort.[7]
If detected early, nearly all these conditions can be addressed and treated or managed to help prevent severe vision loss. By attending regular eye exams, it is more likely that an eye condition will be caught early.
Vision changes that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery can lead to low vision. This may affect the ability to perform household tasks, drive, read, or recognize faces. Experts recommend the following tips to help those with low vision in their daily lives:
· Brighten rooms with high-wattage bulbs or more light fixtures
· Write with bold, black markers and use paper with bold lines
· Put colored tape on the edge of stair steps
· Install motion-censored lights that turn on when you enter a room
· Use clocks with large numbers and phones and computers with large screens
· Put large-print labels on high-use appliances and drawers
· Arrange rides or use public transportation to avoid driving7
By understanding how to protect and care for your eyes, you can take steps to prevent eye injuries and diseases at all stages of life.
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