Aging Eyesight Problems

Many individuals can go through their life without experiencing any vision problems. But from age 40 on, the rest of us will soon begin to notice that our vision changes. Many of these changes, unfortunately, is a normal part of aging. The older we get the more at risk we become to develop an age-related eye condition.

Any eye disorder or change should not go unheeded. Make an appointment with your ophthalmologist so that an early detection and treatment solution can be implemented to help save your sight for more years to come.

Below are a few age-related eye issues that can be easily diagnosed and treated. Just know that modern medicine is advancing in treating eye conditions for the young and the elderly.

For seniors, eye disorders and their corrective solutions come in various forms. There is natural eye aging and there are eye problems associated with illnesses like diabetes and cancer. Let’s discuss:

1. Floaters

Floaters are specks and other distortions that come and go across our eyes. They can be accompanied by flashes of light. This is an age-related eye disorder. We are born with a gel-like substance called “vitreous” in the centre of the eye. When we become older, vitreous starts to dissolve and become a liquid. There may be some non-liquid vitreous left but they begin to float around in the centre of the eye.

These are the floaters in different sizes, colours, and shapes that we see. If you see flashes of light, this is a more serious eye problem. This means that the vitreous could be separating itself from the eye retina called “posterior vitreous detachment.”

Treatment: a laser vitreolysis is performed for eye floaters. It is performed in a doctor’s office. For a simple floater problem, a “vitrectomy” is performed. This is an incision made in the white of the eye. The damaged vitreous is removed. Or, a gas is injected into the eye to act as a replacement for the gel-like vitreous fooling it to reattach to the retina.

If there are rips or tears within the floating eye disorder, then laser surgery is performed. Also, a “cryopey” is performed where the eye is frozen around the tear to reattach the retina. Another procedure for the more serious floaters is the use of a synthetic band that is attached to the outside of the eyeball to push the eye back into the retina.

2. Cataracts

Cataracts are areas of the eye that become cloudy. They block the lens of the eye making your vision blurry. Cataracts seem to form more often in senior citizens. Visit website of various specialists who can help you get proper treatment. The National Eye Institute  reports that by 80 years of age, half of the U.S. population will develop a cataract or have already had cataract surgery. There are different types of cataracts that form in different parts of the eye.

Treatment: early symptoms can be improved with stronger eyewear for better magnification. Advanced cataract problems can be helped with surgery. The most common surgical procedure is to remove the clouded lens and replace it with a medically advanced lens implant.

3. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease that affects the optic nerve. When the watery substance within the eye (cornea and lens) becomes blocked, that substance causes pressure to build up. If glaucoma is not diagnosed in time, then it can lead to blindness. There are different types of glaucoma.

Treatment: Glaucoma is generally treated with prescription eye drops and it generally must continue throughout a person’s life. Laser surgery is also another treatment that is directed to heal the eye’s drainage system. It doesn’t take long (15 minutes) and can take place in the doctor’s office.

Age-related Endnote

Specialists include eating more nutritionally, protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays, watch your blood pressure, and keep up with your annual eye exams to keep eye problems at bay. These eye specialists remind everyone that a healthy sight is to be protected, cherished and maintained.