Your Aging Eyes: How You See as Time Goes By

Your Aging Eyes: How You See as Time Goes By
US scientists have identified two genes responsible for macular degeneration, the gradual deterioration of eyesight in the elderly that can lead to blindness, a study showed this week.The research published 24 April 2007, in the Journal of the American Medical Association also showed that smoking and being overweight carry a strong risk of the condition, in which the central part of the eye's retina degenerates. Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images
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You may barely notice the changes at first. Maybe you’ve found yourself reaching more often for your glasses to see up close. You might have trouble adjusting to glaring lights or reading when the light is dim. You may even have put on blue socks thinking they were black. These are some of the normal changes to your eyes and vision as you age.

As more Americans head toward retirement and beyond, scientists expect the number of people with age-related eye problems to rise dramatically. You can’t prevent all age-related changes to your eyes. But you can take steps to protect your vision and reduce your risk for serious eye disease in the future. Effective treatments are now available for many disorders that may lead to blindness or visual impairment. You can also learn how to make the most of the vision you have.

National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health
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A part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH is the largest biomedical research agency in the world.
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