What to do if your eyesight is getting worse

27 Aug 2020

If you notice your eyesight is getting worse, the most important thing to do is visit your local optician for an eye examination. Your optician will be able to identify if there are any underlying issues that are causing your eyesight to worsen.

Changes in your vision can be due to numerous factors. There has even been discussion over whether wearing glasses can actually make your eyesight worse. If you suffer from a refractive error such as short-sightedness (myopia), it will progress regardless of whether you wear glasses or not.

Factors that can cause your eyesight to regress
With that in mind, we here at Optliase Clinics are taking better look at some of the reasons why your eyesight could be getting worse. This can include age, genetics, lifestyle, eye conditions and harmful light.

Age: As you get older, particularly around the age of 40-50, your eyesight ability may decline for close-up tasks such as reading. This is because the crystalline lens in your eye becomes less flexible, which makes it harder to focus on close-up objects. This is known as presbyopia and will affect all of us at some stage in our lives. You might also experience an eye condition known as cataracts. Cataracts gradually make your eye cloudy, so it loses transparency, resulting in visual impairment.
Genetics: There are many genetic reasons why your eyesight might begin to get worse. Many eye diseases are hereditary, such as glaucoma and even myopia. It has been shown that if a parent has myopia, the child has an increased risk. It is important to understand your family’s health history and look out for any signs that could put you at risk of developing an eye condition. If this is the case, it is recommended that you visit an optician more frequently.
Lifestyle: Lifestyle choices can have a huge impact on your overall health, including your vision. Diet, smoking and excessive alcohol can all make a difference to your eyesight in the long run. Long-term effects of consuming too much alcohol can increase your risk of eye disease, including AMD and cataracts. A balanced diet is also key, as vitamins C and E along with lutein and omega-3 can all contribute to healthy vision.
Eye conditions: Your eyesight could be getting worse because you have an uncorrected refractive error. If you begin to struggle to see far away or close up, then you should visit your optician for an eye examination. In the event that you discover that you have an uncorrected refractive error, you could think about laser eye surgery at Optilase.

Temporary factors
Pregnancy: Pregnancy can bring lots of changes to your body including your eyesight. Hormones during pregnancy can affect your eyesight and vision quality. These changes are normally temporary, but you should still get them checked by an optician if you experience them.
Harmful light: In large doses, UV light can be detrimental to your eyesight. Overexposure to UV is one of the leading causes of conditions like cataracts and photokeratitis. With that in mind, it’s important to protect your eyes when out in the sun. You should always wear sunglasses in the sun, or stay out of direct sunlight when it’s at its strongest. You can also protect your eyes by wearing clear lenses with built-in UV protection. These are simple protective measures that can have a huge positive impact on your eye health.

To find out more about your eye health, call Optilase +353 1 223 8821 on or visit any of our award-winning clinics across Ireland.

More to Explore

What you can do to treat your cataracts

02 Aug 2020
Read more

What happens to your cornea during laser eye surgery at Optilase?

05 Jul 2020
Read more

Does Constant Reading Hurt my Eyesight?

14 Jan 2014
Read more

Romantic Eye Contact Infographic Sources

09 Feb 2013
Read more

Book a Free Consultation Today!

At your consultation we will answer all your questions, discuss finance options, and assess whether you are a suitable candidate for one of our life-changing, treatments. Consultations with our expert Optometrists are free and take approximately 1 hour at one of our nationwide clinics.
World’s Leading Technology
Laser Eye Surgery Lifetime Care Guarantee
Laser Health Insurance Discount
World-Renowned Surgeons
20% Tax Relief
0% Interest Free Finance
99% Of Our Patients Recommend Us
No Waiting List Guaranteed

Patient Reviews

google
Holli Burgon
September 18, 2023

I could not rate high enough, consultation was extremely informative and the staff were amazing, very friendly and answered all my questions with ease.

google
Roisin Byrne
September 15, 2023

I had a wonderful experience in Optilase in Ely Place, the staff were so kind and helpful and made me feel really comfortable. Would absolutely recommend

google
PAULA Moriarty
September 7, 2023

Couldn't rate Optilase high enough. I had Lens Replacement Surgery. My experience from the first phone call to the procedure itself and the aftercare was fantastic. All of the staff from the call centre to the staff in Carrickmines and the theatre were so helpful and friendly. Would definitely recommend .

google
JeriesHamaty
September 5, 2023

I had my PRK done on both eyes , and im happy with the result. The post operation pain was extreme but it settled down after 4 days. Now i feel great after 2 weeks post operation no complications what so ever , other than blurry vision now and then, but its improving every day

google
Rebekah Lowry
August 25, 2023

Got LASIK in Ely Place only yesterday and officially had 20/20 vision just 24 hours later! Cannot recommend Optilase enough from my initial consultation with Aisling in Athlone to my trips to Carrickmines and Ely Place. The staff really look after you from the moment you walk in the door and make you feel so at ease from start to finish - 10 out of 10 experience!

google
Kate Oto
August 21, 2023

I highly recommend this place, reliable information and care, full professionalism.

google
Lisa Simcox
August 21, 2023

LASIK was so easy and pain free. It’s one week post surgery and my eye sight is wonderful. I couldn’t recommend enough.

google
Declan Wynne
August 21, 2023

I no longer need glasses,absolutely life changing.Great aftercare,lovely staff.

google
Poliana Oliveira
August 9, 2023

I have been wearing glasses for over 20 years. I always hated wearing contact lenses and I got to a time in my life that I needed a change. A friend recommended optilase, I went for the free consultation and the person that did all the exams was really nice and I felt safe and confident enough to go ahead, I was recommended the PRK. I Put on a piece of paper how much I spent and would still spend on glasses for the next 10 years, and the surgery was for sure cheaper than that. My prescription was very high, both eyes, myopia and astigmatism Optilase provided all the information I needed, in clear manner. And they always made clear that there was nothing wrong with my eyes, it was my own choice to go for the surgery. The day of the surgery I was a bit nervous, who wouldn't? But then, from the reception to the surgeon, they were all so nice and welcoming. Hernandez performed the procedure, lovely surgeon, again all information was provided the way it should. I was instructed in what I should and should not do. The actual procedure took less than 15min, I felt nothing, no discomfort or anything. The whole process is very well done by the team, if I remember well around 3 people supporting the surgery plus one other girl providing pos surgery instructions. Right after the procedure I could already see much better than before without glasses! I couldn't believe it, I cried, thanked everyone and left the clinic knowing that I made the best choice. The recovery for PRK is a bit longer, I stayed for 2 full days no phones, or any screens. In the dark. If you have a little one, I would recommend to have someone minding them, as you are very limited in what you can do for the day of and day after surgery. It is hard to open the eyes, the second day after surgery was the toughest, I thought all went wrong as the vision got worst, but again I was advised it could happen. Note that this was my experience and could be different for other people. The 3rd day I felt nothing and could see much better already. Light sensitivity was very high, and still, 6 days after surgery, but nothing that a sun glasses would not help. My vision still blurred, but I need no glasses to see, my eyes feel dry sometimes, but the eye drops provided helps with it and and am very happy with the results already, even knowing it takes a bit longer to fully recover the vision. I'm back to work (screen at 200% to make sure I dont force my eyes too much) and I have had no headaches or anything, which I would have all the time looking at screens for most of my day. I cannot recommend Optilase enough, they are amazing! If you want to do something for your self and want a place you can trust, go for it, choose Optilase. Thanks to the whole team for one of the best things I did for my self!

google
damien mcandrew
August 9, 2023

Great experience all tound from start to finish. Every step explained in great detail. Eyesight was better than 20/20 the next day. Would highly recommend using optilase for laser eye surgery

google
Eve Murphy
August 9, 2023

Surgeon was great! Talked me through everything as the surgery was happening. Bit of discomfort during surgery and very painful for 2-3 hrs after but put more drops in and took a nap and then completely fine after. Colette for my consultation and post op was so friendly and helpful. Overall, great experience.

google
Josman Ibarra
August 3, 2023

I highly recommend Optilase for laser eye surgery. The process from the initial consultation to the post surgery check ups was quite smooth and professional. The staff working at the clinic was very knowledgeable, professional, and friendly. The surgery was over in minutes and I didn't feel any pain. The doctor kept an open communication with me during the surgery what made a big difference.

Lets Connect

Privacy CentrePolicy & Procedures
Flexible Payment with
humm
Book a Free Consultation
crossmenuchevron-left