Common Eye Problems Associated With Aging
Your body’s health and fitness often change when you get older. There is a gradual loss of strength and stamina, especially when exercise is not part of your regular routine. The same goes for your senses. There may be gradual or abrupt deterioration of the normal levels of functionality as you age.
Poor vision and hearing are often associated with aging. But there are certain eye problems that manifest themselves as you get older. These are:
● Glaucoma: Too much fluid pressure inside the eye leads to the development of this eye problem. It can be the result of a blockage that happens between the cornea and the iris, the colored part of the eye. When treated immediately upon detection, there is a reduced threat to the patient’s vision. But in severe cases when a patient is unable to seek medical help, glaucoma can cause blindness.
However, the detection of glaucoma can be difficult. This is one reason why a lot of people suffer permanent vision loss due to this eye problem. The case becomes severe before any treatment is done. Eye drops are often prescribed to patients with glaucoma. Treatment for more serious conditions may require oral medications and surgery.
● Cataracts: Older people are prone to cataracts. This is the cloudy substance that covers either a part or the entire lens inside the eye. The gradual deterioration in health in older people impacts their vision. The lens of the eye becomes opaque, and light has difficulty passing through it. This makes it difficult to see images clearly. Thus, suffering visual impairment. Cataracts form gradually. When vision becomes blurry, it is best to see an eye doctor immediately. Surgical removal of the cloudy lens and replacement with an intraocular lens, restores vision.
● Age-related macular degeneration: This is an eye problem that is directly associated with aging. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the central part of the retina. This is the central vision, which when affected, could lead to difficulty in performing simple everyday tasks such as reading or driving. Before treatment can be performed, the eye doctor needs to determine if the patient’s AMD is wet or dry.
When straight lines appear wavy, you may be suffering from wet AMD. This involves eye fluid leakage that is the result of abnormal blood vessels behind the retina. When these start to grow under the macula, that is when wet AMD sets in. The process can seriously scar this part of the eye and lead to the loss of the central vision.
On the other hand, dry AMD involves the accumulation of drusen in the macula. These are deposits under the retina, which are yellowish or white in color. The presence of drusen is normal but can impact one’s vision in large amounts. This takes time, so older people are more susceptible to this eye problem. As the most common of the two types of AMD, dry AMD slowly progresses, but the result is the same: loss of central vision.
Careful monitoring by your eye doctor with dilated funduscopic eye exams, macular vitamins and/or eye injections, may help slow the progression of AMD.
Anyone can be afflicted with these eye conditions, but older individuals are at higher risk of developing them because of age. For all your eye concerns you can rely on Eastside Eye Associates and Tribeca Eye Physicians to help you. Call 212-861-6200 or 212-693-7200 today!
