Many eye problems develop or worsen with age, so reaching the 40 is a good time to make eye health a priority by having regular eye examinations.

Most adults should have an eye examination every two years but the Optometrist may advise testing more often depending on individual circumstances.

Signs you may need eye tests include vision problems, headaches and eye strain. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, prescriptions can change. Wearing glasses or contacts when driving may be a requirement by the DVLA. Your optometrist will advise whether this is the case.

The most common eye diseases in people over 40 are:

• Age-related macular degeneration
• Cataracts
• Diabetes-related eye conditions
• Glaucoma

Here’s what you should know about these threats to your eyesight.

Your eyes and age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration — or AMD — damages then destroys central vision. Central vision is your “straight-ahead”, finely detailed vision. This eye disease takes two forms, “dry” and “wet”. Most AMD cases are dry. The remaining are “wet”, and are a more damaging form that is responsible for about 90% of serious vision loss.

Who’s at Risk of AMD?

As well as risk increasing with age, people at risk of AMD include those who:

• Have high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Smoke
• Are obese
• Are white and female
• Have a family history of AMD

Symptoms of AMD

AMD is painless. It may worsen slowly or rapidly. Dry AMD may affect central vision within a few years. Wet AMD can cause sudden and dramatic changes in vision. In either case, early detection and treatment are key to slowing vision loss. Seek medical Advice right away if you notice:

• Straight lines appearing wavy
• Blurred central vision
• Trouble seeing things in the distance
• Problems seeing colours correctly
• Difficulty seeing details, like faces or words on a page
• Dark or ‘blank’ spots blocking your central vision

Your eyes and cataracts

A cataract is an eye condition in which the eye’s normally clear lens becomes cloudy. It eventually occurs in both eyes but may be more noticeable in one eye first. Since less light passes through a cloudy lens, vision blurs. Cataracts are small at first and may not affect vision. But the denser they grow, the more they affect your vision.

Most cataracts are due to ageing. Other causes include:

• Diseases, like diabetes
• Eye injury or trauma (a cataract may also form after eye surgery for another problem)
• Inheritance or pregnancy-related causes (babies can be born with cataracts or develop them in childhood)
• Overexposure of eyes to the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays
• Smoking
• Certain medications

Who’s at risk of cataracts?

The risk increases with age. Other risk factors for cataracts include:

• Environmental — such as overexposure to sunlight
• Lifestyle — including smoking and alcohol use
• Certain diseases, including diabetes