Ways to protect vision - night blindness, dry eyes, glaucoma, cataracts

Postmenopausal women also tend to develop meibomian gland dysfunction. The meibomian glands, located in the eyelids, create the oily, fat layer of tears. If that oil is diminished, the

patient experiences dry eyes. "It's pretty common for women past 40 to have dysfunction of the meibomian glands or blepharitis — inflammation of the eyelids," says Jen

Galbraith, O.D., an optometrist in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. "Another kind of dry eye I see misdiagnosed is lagophthalmos, which happens when the patient doesn't blink

completely." These patients often sleep with their eyes cracked slightly open, so the eyes dry out. "It's often missed," says Galbraith, " but easy to treat."

HOW TO FIX IT: Experiment with over-the-counter artificial tears. If that doesn't work, consider Restasis, a prescription drop that helps you make your own tears. If your dry eye is

caused by medication, switching meds may help. Tetracycline-based antibiotics can also be used to treat dry eyes, says Cory M. Lessner, M.D., medical director and owner of Millennium Laser

Eye Center in Sunrise, Florida. A final option is punctal occlusion, which involves placing tiny plugs in the tear duct, so tears drain more slowly. RED FLAG: Sudden dry eyes might signify a

damaged tear gland or blocked tear duct, which can be caused by an infection, a tumor, or scarring or swelling from a blow to the eye. Treatments range from massaging the area (your eye

doctor can show you how), to a probe procedure that opens the duct, to surgery. Next: Do you see halos at night? » 3. DIFFICULTY WITH NIGHT DRIVING WHY IT HAPPENS: Being nearsighted,

farsighted, or astigmatic — having an irregular curve in the cornea that causes blurriness — are the chief reasons you see glare or halos at night, especially around headlights and traffic

signals. HOW TO FIX IT: Get your prescription checked. If new glasses don't help, make sure the lens is aligned with the visual center of the eye (to reduce distortion). RED FLAG: A

posterior subcapsular cataract can cause a loss in night vision or bothersome nighttime glare. It's more common in diabetics, people who've been on steroids, and those who have

experienced eye trauma. If you can't see well at night, ask your doctor to rule out this type of cataract. 4. A FEW NEW FLOATERS Floaters are "nothing more than shadows cast by

small strands and bits of protein in the jelly of the eye." WHY IT HAPPENS: Floaters are tiny threads or specks floating across your field of vision. "They're nothing more

than shadows cast by small strands and bits of protein in the jelly of the eye," says Lessner. As you age, that jelly liquefies and separates from the retina. HOW TO FIX IT: Floaters by

themselves are not harmful, and usually no treatment is necessary.