Apps that test eyes and ears can help you gauge any gradual changes; one new app guides you in choosing the right reading glasses
by: Julie Jargon
Not long after I turned 40, it happened: I found myself having to hold my phone farther away to read emails and text messages.
I booked an appointment with an eye doctor who told me, matter-of-factly, this is what happens in your 40s. Another thing that starts to decline in middle age is hearing. So much for 40 being the new 30!
If untreated,…
I booked an appointment with an eye doctor who told me, matter-of-factly, this is what happens in your 40s. Another thing that starts to decline in middle age is hearing. So much for 40 being the new 30!
If untreated, the gradual decline in eyesight can lead to eyestrain and headaches. Hearing loss can cause longer-term problems such as cognitive decline.
Now for the good news: Some new apps can help you figure out whether your vision or hearing is changing over time. The sooner any problems are identified, doctors say, the better off you’ll be.
It’s part of a broader trend toward do-it-yourself healthcare, which carries risks. The makers of these apps all say these tools are meant to be used in between doctor visits and shouldn’t replace eye and ear exams. And doctors warn that apps can’t detect medical conditions such as glaucoma, which can underlie vision problems, or infections that might cause hearing loss…..
Read more: https://www-wsj-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.wsj.com/amp/articles/hearing-and-vision-loss-iphone-tests-11645744165
Source: Wall Street Journal