Eyes in Later Life
Magnifying glass with light for reading, and what else helps
A lighted magnifier can bring small print back within reach, but it works best after an eye exam and with good light and the right readers. How to choose and hold one.
Hitomi Saijiki
eye health through the seasons
Welcome
to a notebook on eyes and everyday life
For the days you want to understand your eyes a little better.
From how eye conditions work to everyday care,
explained in plain words, season by season.
· New columns · notice board NEW
- · 26.10.18Added “Magnifying glass with light for reading, and what else helps” to Eyes in Later Life.
- · 26.10.16Added “What is astigmatism? Why it blurs, and what CYL and axis mean” to Vision, Glasses & Contacts.
- · 26.10.15Added “Warm compress for eyes: how to use one for dry eyes, safely” to Everyday Eye Care.
- · 26.09.08Added “Dry eyes and screen time: blinking, humidity and better breaks” to Everyday Eye Care.
- · 26.03.24Added “AMD and the Amsler grid: a simple home check for your central vision” to Eyes in Later Life.
- · 25.11.13Added “Diabetes and your eyes: why retina checks matter before symptoms appear” to Eye Conditions.
- · 25.08.04Added “Children, myopia and time outdoors: a summer habits check” to Children's Eyes.
- · 25.05.07Added “Contact lens care: the daily habits that keep trouble away” to Vision, Glasses & Contacts.
Recent columns
Vision, Glasses & Contacts
What is astigmatism? Why it blurs, and what CYL and axis mean
Astigmatism means the eye focuses light unevenly, so things blur at every distance. What causes it, how it shows on a prescription, and when to see an eye doctor.
Everyday Eye Care
Warm compress for eyes: how to use one for dry eyes, safely
A warm compress softens the oil in the tiny glands along your eyelids so tears last longer. How to do it safely, how long, how often, and when to see an eye doctor.
Everyday Eye Care
Dry eyes and screen time: blinking, humidity and better breaks
We blink less when we stare at screens. How tears work, screen height, blinking on purpose, humidity, eye drops, contact lenses, and when dry eyes need an eye doctor.
Eyes in Later Life
AMD and the Amsler grid: a simple home check for your central vision
Macular degeneration can bend or darken the center of what you look at. Dry and wet AMD, using an Amsler grid at home, keeping a record, and when to see an eye doctor.
Eye Conditions
Diabetes and your eyes: why retina checks matter before symptoms appear
Diabetic retinopathy can progress for years without symptoms. For World Diabetes Day: how it affects the retina, stage by stage, and why yearly eye exams matter.
Seeing an eye doctor
How to find an eye doctor, what happens at a first exam, how to read clinic hours and what to do when trouble starts over a holiday. For symptoms that can't wait, see eye emergencies.
Browse by section
- Eye ConditionsCataract, glaucoma, retinal problems, conjunctivitis and more: how common eye conditions work, how they are checked and when to see a doctor.
- Vision, Glasses & ContactsNearsightedness, presbyopia, choosing and caring for glasses and contact lenses, and avoiding lens trouble.
- Children's EyesVision checks for young children, lazy eye and squint, myopia, screens and school life, from a parent's point of view.
- Everyday Eye CareBlinking, breaks, light, sun protection and the small daily habits that keep eyes comfortable.
- Eyes in Later LifeHow eyes change with age, cataract and macular disease, appointments, and how family can help.
- Health & LivingDiabetes, blood pressure, allergies, sleep and diet: how general health connects with the eyes, and everyday living.
- Kyoto & the SeasonsSeasons, festivals and city life in Kyoto, and what each time of year means for our eyes.