Under 45?

While we would all rather avoid it, vision problems are common as we push through our 20s and 30s towards middle age. Near sightedness and astigmatism are the most common conditions for those under 45. These will impact your ability to see clearly in the distance as well as cause eye straining blurry vision in your day to day life. Schedule a consultation with LASERSIGHT to discover the best treatment options for you.

• Can you go over the eye examination with me and tell me what to expect?
• Is my condition stable, or can I lose more sight?
• What new symptoms should I watch out for?
• Are there treatments for my eye condition?
• When should the treatment start and how long will it last?
• What are the benefits of this treatment?
• What are the risks and possible side effects associated with this treatment?
• Are other treatments available?
• How often will you schedule follow-up visits? Should I be monitored on a regular basis?
• How soon will I be able to resume my day to day activities?

As we age it is not only our bodies that change, but the structure of our eyes too. Certain characteristics of vision in our 30s function differently once we approach 45. These are normal changes which include the following;

• A reduction in pupil size. As we age, the muscles controlling our pupils and their reaction to light begin to lose some strength. The result is a smaller pupil that is less responsive to changes in lighting. This means a 20 year old eye will require far less ambient lighting than that of a 40 year old.
• Onset of Dry Eyes. As we grow older our eyes produce fewer tears. With a lack of tears to hydrate the eyes there may be increased eye discomfort, burning or stinging.
• By the time you reach the age of 40 it is common to begin experiencing some form of presbyopia. This is a natural part of ageing in which the lenses within the eye are unable to focus on objects that appear near. This may cause you to hold reading material at arm's length to properly read it.

Presbyopia generally starts around 40 with the onset of blurred vision when trying to read or work close up at a screen. This is a natural part of ageing and cannot be avoided, however there are treatment options to limit the effects on daily life.

Where the eye is concerned, a healthy eye is able to change shape easily, a process that lets you focus on objects whether they are near or far. As we reach 40 though there is a natural hardening of the lens, which makes it harder to change shape as often as we need. This is known as presbyopia.

As nearly everyone develops presbyopia it may also combine with any level of myopia (near sightedness), hyperopia (far sightedness) or astigmatism.

Certain factors may increase the likelihood of developing nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism including:

• Family history. These conditions tend to run in families. If one of your parents is nearsighted or farsighted, your risk of developing the condition is increased. The chance is even higher if both parents have the same eye health issue.
• Reading. People who do a lot of reading may be at increased risk.
• Environmental conditions. A lack of time spent outdoors may increase the chances of developing these common visual conditions in under 45s.