With age comes a heightened risk of developing eye problems. Since age-related eye conditions often develop gradually, being aware of the signs of common eye problems in older age can help you identify these issues in their early stages. Prompt diagnosis and care for eye problems will minimize preventable vision loss and protect your eyes.
The most common age-related eye problems include:
Macular Degeneration
In people over the age of 70, macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss. Macular degeneration is a condition that impacts the macula, which is the part of the retina that provides our optimal reading, color, and central vision. Genetics, poor nutrition, and smoking cigarettes can increase your risk of developing this degenerative condition.
Individuals may not notice any changes to their vision in the early stages of macular degeneration, and most people only experience mild vision loss. But, 10% of people with macular degeneration experience severe vision loss. Early diagnosis and treatment, as well as preventative measures, can prevent severe vision loss for those with macular degeneration.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that affect the optic nerve. The optic nerve connects the eye and the brain. With many cases of glaucoma, the pressure in the eye is elevated due to an imbalance in fluid production and drainage in the eye.
The earliest signs of glaucoma can be seen by looking at the optic nerve during an eye exam years before vision loss occurs. Glaucoma can be treated by lowering this eye pressure and treating other conditions that may be contributing to glaucoma, including low blood pressure and sleep apnea.
Cataracts
A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s natural lens. Everyone gets a cataract at some point in life, with aging being the main cause of this condition. Genetics, smoking, steroid medications, and eye trauma can also increase your risk of developing a cataract.
Some people opt to undergo cataract surgery to replace their natural lens with an artificial lens implant. The lens implant can incorporate your glasses prescription so that you can enjoy a reduced glasses prescription after the procedure!
For the treatment of age-related eye problems, schedule an appointment at The Eye Clinic of Florida today.