PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
As people age, their eyes age with them. According to the Vision Council of America, an industry trade organization, around 1 in 3 Americans over age 65 will develop an eye condition that significantly impacts their eye health or vision. Vision loss and decreased eye function can make the life of a senior challenging, limiting a person's independence and mobility. Impaired vision puts a senior at risk for other serious health conditions, as well as accidents and falls. Seniors with vision and eye problems are 200 percent more likely to be involved in motor vehicle accidents, for example. So it's important to be aware of how aging may impact your vision, which symptoms can signal a serious eye condition, and when to seek help from an ophthalmologist or other eye specialist. Here's a rundown of the conditions to look out for.
PHOTO CREDIT: Science Photo Library/Getty Images
Cataracts: Cloudy Eye Lenses
According to the National Eye Institute, more than half of seniors over age 80 suffer from cataracts, which are the most common cause of blindness in the world. Cataracts involve the clouding of the lens, which is the white part of eyes. This area of the eyes is made up mostly of water and protein, and as a person ages, proteins in the eyes may start to collect and cloud vision. Some people develop cataracts as a result of smoking or a side effect of diabetes, according to the National Eye Institute. Unfortunately, everyone develops cataracts as they age.
Cataracts aren't preventable but they're highly treatable with surgery. The surgery is quick, relatively painless, and typically performed on an outpatient basis. It involves replacing the clouded lens with an artificial intraocular lens. "In the hands of a good surgeon, the next day you could see 20/20," said Sam Pollak, an optometrist at the Hebrew Home in Riverdale, N.Y.
PHOTO CREDIT: Nucleus Medical Art/Getty Images
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
The chronic eye disease affects more than 2 million Americans age 50 and older, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss among Americans over 65. The condition is characterized by damage to the macula, the part of the eye that's necessary for seeing objects clearly. "If a patient has severe macular degeneration they'll see ears and hair but they won't see the face," said Dr. Pollak.
There are two forms of the disease: dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration. The majority of seniors have "dry" macular degeneration, caused by the gradual thinning of the macula. About 10 percent of patients develop the "wet" form of the disease, in which abnormal blood vessels may leak blood or fluid from under the retina, causing more damage to central vision.
Treatment for dry macular degeneration is limited, though nutritional supplements can often slow the progression of the disease. For wet macular degeneration, patients are treated with injections of drugs, such as bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept, which stops the growth of blood vessels. Laser eye surgery has also been shown to be effective.
PHOTO CREDIT: Medical-on-Line/Alamy
Diabetic Eye Disease
Also known as diabetic retinopathy, this is a chronic condition caused by diabetes. Around 27 percent of diabetes patients are over age 65, according to the American Diabetes Association. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive area at the back of the eyes. At first the condition will cause minor vision problems, such as difficulty seeing at a distance. But as diabetes progresses, so too will vision loss, and it may eventually lead to blindness. "The higher your blood sugar, the more likely you are to develop diabetic retinopathy," said Dr. Roberts.
Laser treatments can be used to treat diabetic retinopathy. Some patients may have vitrectomy surgery, in which the gel-like matter is removed from the middle of the eye. The procedure is followed by laser surgery to remove the blood and scar tissue that forms in the eye. Some doctors may give a patient medication injections, such as ranibizumab, to reduce inflammation or stop the growth of blood vessels. All of these treatments may slow vision loss, but they can't cure diabetic retinopathy or fully restore vision.
PHOTO CREDIT: nei.nih.gov
Starting around age 40, eyes begin to lose their focus, a condition that's known as presbyopia. The "aging eye" is a natural part of getting old and affects nearly everyone. "It's the way it is. It's life," said Pollak. But presbyopia can make daily activities — such as reading and working at the computer — especially challenging.
Thankfully, for many individuals, eyeglasses or contact lenses usually do the trick. They can correct or improve vision, and a doctor can increase the strength of your prescription as needed over time.
PHOTO CREDIT: BSIP SA/Alamy
Glaucoma: Damage to the Optic NerveGlaucoma refers to a collection of eye conditions that can eventually damage the optic nerve. Often, but not always, a result of increased pressure in the eye, known as intraocular pressure, glaucoma can lead to loss of peripheral vision and, over time, cause total blindness if left untreated. It's estimated that more than 2.2 million Americans have glaucoma but only half know they have it. But the optic nerve damage of glaucoma, known as the "silent thief of sight," can be prevented by lowering intraocular pressure with topical eye drops or surgery.
"If you can't treat it with drops you can treat it with laser treatment," said Pollak. "If all else fails there are surgical procedures available where they create a different drainage system for the eye."
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
Dry Eyes Syndrome
For vision to remain clear, the eyes must be sufficiently lubricated. Many seniors experience dry eyes from low tear production. Though this condition is largely benign, it can greatly impact vision, and cause a person to experience eye discomfort, including stinging and burning. There isn't a cure for dry eyes but saline lubricating drops, or "artificial tears," can help to relieve some of the discomfort and keep vision clearer. Pollak also recommends each day using pre-moistened pads or a warm compress on the eyes, then putting light pressure on the lids to encourage tear production and keep ducts clear."Think of lid hygiene as flossing. In order to prevent gingivitis you floss," he said.
- Last Updated: 06/12/13
- Last Updated: 06/12/13