Although it is common to blame aging for many of our ailments, sometimes it isn’t the main culprit. Case in point, there are other causes of your worsening vision aside from aging – and the good news is, they are easily preventable.
Below you will find five common reasons your vision is changing and simple fixes you can try in order to protect your vision.
5 causes and fixes for changing vision
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Screen time: If you spend most of your day staring at a computer screen, you may end up with what is known as ‘digital eye strain,’ a group of symptoms including blurry vision and tired eyes. When we are looking at a screen all day we don’t blink as often as we should, so our eyes become dry and get tired. Some studies have shown that blinking decreases by 70 percent when using a device with a screen.
Symptoms related to digital eye strain often resolve after you turn off your device and stop looking at a screen, but you can also prevent digital eye strain by following the 20/20/20 rule. Every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. And don’t forget to blink more.
Contact lenses: Although contacts are a great alternative to glasses, wearing them for too long can lead to vision problems. This is because the longer you wear them the higher the risk of dirt, mucus, and proteins building up. As a result, your eyes may hurt and your vision may become blurry.
Always remember to regularly clean your contacts with the appropriate solution and replace them as prescribed.
Scratched cornea: If you have a scratched cornea, you may also experience pain, blurry vision, redness, or feeling as if there is something in your eye.
If you suspect your cornea is scratched, you should see an eye doctor right away to reduce your risk of infection and other complications.
Certain medications: Antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants can affect your vision, causing dry eyes or a gritty feeling in the eyes. Other medications like hormone therapy and treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes may also lead to vision changes.
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This doesn’t mean you have to stop any prescribed medications (in fact, you shouldn’t), but you may want to speak with your doctor about vision changes you experience as possible side effects.
Glaucoma: Glaucoma can develop in anyone at any age, although it is commonly seen among older adults. Added pressure caused by excess fluid in the eye can damage the optic nerve.
Glaucoma may occur without any warning signs, so it’s important that you undergo regular eye exams to spot any changes to your vision. If caught early enough, glaucoma can be treated. If advanced, there is no cure.
