It is a pretty well-known fact that our bodies change in some pretty significant ways as we mature and age. One part of our bodies we may not think about being as influenced by and changing all that often (at least until we get much older) is our eyes. But this is far from the truth. Our eyes are constantly developing and changing due to both internal and external factors.

From exposure to UVA and UVB radiation, developmental hormones, eye injuries, medications, and a host of medical conditions, our eyesight does not develop or maintain itself in a vacuum. Let’s take a look specifically at how hormones shape vision throughout our lives.

One of the most common eye diseases among adults, glaucoma, affects nearly three million Americans and is the second leading cause of blindness in the nation. 

Glaucoma encompasses a range of conditions that cause damage to the optic nerve due to increased pressure in the fluid of the eye. This fluid drains typically where the iris and cornea meet through mesh-like tissue. When the body overproduces fluid or drainage is inhibited, pressure builds up.

The human eye operates like a sophisticated camera, with intricate processes enabling us to perceive visual information. When light enters the eye, it passes through the cornea and lens, which work together to focus it onto the retina at the back of the eye. The retina contains specialized cells called photoreceptors that convert the focused light into electrical signals.

We have discussed at length a number of eye conditions that become more prevalent as we age. By the time we reach the age of sixty-five, nearly one in three Americans will have developed an eye disease that can impair vision. It is good to be aware of the most common of these conditions so that you can be on the lookout for changes in your vision that may indicate their onset and work to lower your risk.