You’re probably using an eye cream because you know your eyelids are destined for crepey town otherwise. Your actual eyeballs are also affected by aging: Age-related macular degeneration, a condition marked by blurred central vision—imagine being able to see the numbers but not the hands on a clock—is a leading cause of vision loss in the U.S. It’s not the only one, though. Here are four other medical conditions that can impact your eyesight now.
Corneal Ulcers
These are open sores on the clear tissue covering the front of your eye, and they’re often caused by bacterial, viral, fungal, or even parasitic infections stemming from half-ass hygiene. “You would not believe how many people sleep in their contacts, wear them for too many hours, or use tap water instead of contact lens solution,” says Andrea Tooley, M.D., a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Corneal ulcers are largely preventable with proper contact lens care, but if you do get them, eye drops are usually the first line of defense.
Diabetic Macular Edema
Chronically high blood sugar levels from diabetes can damage the blood vessels in your retina. When the blood vessels leak, they can cause the central part of your retina, called the macula, to swell. This is the most common reason people with diabetes lose their vision. Treatments include injection therapy, laser surgery, and corticosteroids to treat the damaged retina, plus lifestyle changes to help control the underlying diabetes. “A lot of the things that are good for your heart—like exercising, eating leafy greens and fish, and maintaining a healthy bodyweight—are good for your eyes too,” says Rachel Bishop, M.D. who oversees clinical trials at the National Eye Institute.
Dry Eye
This affects more women than men, and “it’s a very common problem for people looking at screens a lot, which causes you to blink less,” says Dr. Tooley. Dry eye occurs when the quantity and/or quality of your tears isn’t high enough to keep your eyes lubricated. Though it usually leads to blurry vision, light sensitivity, and irritation, severe dry eye can cause vision loss. You can reduce symptoms by spending less time on your phone and computer, taking omega-3 supplements, and using a humidifier, depending on where you live. Otherwise, over-the-counter artificial tears, gels, and ointments can help.
Refractive Errors
OK, nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia (a.k.a. needing reading glasses, something that can start in your forties) aren’t technically diseases, because your eyes are healthy, they’re just not focusing. And they’re usually correctable. But if you put off scheduling an eye exam and keep squinting, “you’ll force your already weak muscles to work harder, which can cause headaches and eyestrain,” says Bishop. (Need help picking out glasses? Here’s where Barbie Ferreira and six other stylish women shop.)
