Aging Eyes: Macular Degeneration

Aging brings about many physical changes to eyesight and vision levels. While regular eye care can take care of many ocular changes and concerns, some vision impairments, such as macular degeneration, can cause severe vision loss if left untreated.

Causes

Macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss in Americans over 60. Macular degeneration occurs when a small portion of the retina, known as the macula, begins to deteriorate and break down. There are two types of macular degeneration: "dry," in which small deposits in the macula begin to impair vision, and "wet," in which abnormal blood vessels begin to grow under the macula.

Treatment

Although there is no treatment for macular degeneration, there are certain forms of eye care that can relieve symptoms and help prevent total vision loss. For wet macular degeneration, laser therapy and injections can help stop the growth of new abnormal blood vessels. For dry macular degeneration, doses of antioxidants and zinc are thought to help stave off further progressive vision loss.

With regular eye care and monitoring of symptoms, macular degeneration can be handled as a normal part of aging vision.

Understanding Glaucoma Warning Signs

Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that can result in total loss of vision, but a few signs and symptoms of this disease can prompt patients to visit their eye doctor early. Early detection can save the person's vision. Once vision loss has occurred, there is no way to restore it.

There are two forms of this illness: angle-closure glaucoma and open-angle glaucoma. Each has its own unique symptoms.

Angle-Closure

This form is caused by a blockage of the eye's drainage canals. It increases the pressure in the eye and can come on suddenly, and medical attention should be sought immediately. Warning signs include hazy or blurred vision, sudden sight loss, severe eye or head pain and accompanying nausea or vomiting, or the appearance of rainbow-colored circles around bright lights.

Open-Angle

This form generally takes place slowly over time, occurring as the drainage channels in the angle where the iris and cornea meet gradually become blocked. Typically, the symptoms of this form of glaucoma are not as recognizable. They include granular loss of peripheral vision and tunnel vision.

By visiting an eye doctor for a routine exam, glaucoma can be caught early, and preventative measures can be taken to avoid vision loss.

A Brief Overview of Cataract Causes and Treatment

Cataract surgery may be necessary to resolve this common eye problem. Learn typical causes and treatment options to help you decide how you should proceed. 

Light rays pass through the eyes to reach the lens. From there, the image moves into the optic nerve and to the part of the brain that processes images. When someone has cataracts, protein accumulates in the lens, and the cloudiness makes it difficult for light to pass through the lens, which results in vision loss. Cataract surgery is a common treatment option for this issue.

Causes

As people age, they often develop cataracts. Congenital conditions can also be a cause for this eye problem, resulting in the early onset of symptoms. Diabetes, exposure to radiation and ultraviolet light, and exposure to substances or drugs can also exacerbate the issues. Sometimes a traumatic injury can cause cataract symptoms.

Typical Treatment Options

After diagnosis, a patient will be presented with treatment options. Sometimes a simple change in eyeglass prescription can be effective for reducing symptoms. If new eyeglasses do not relieve the symptoms, cataract surgery may be necessary. This surgical procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis.

People experiencing difficulty with cloudy vision should consult a physician to receive a diagnosis and treatment options.

The Link Between Diabetes and Eye Care

Just how does diabetes impact eye care? People with diabetes need to keep a tight grip not only on their blood sugar or glucose levels, but also on other areas that diabetes can adversely affect, such as eyesight. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among people from 20 to 74 years of age.

High glucose levels can increase blood pressure in the eye and blur vision. While this condition is treatable, blurred or glared eyesight can also be symptomatic of more serious eye care issues, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retinopathy.

Cataracts are cloudy areas on the lens of the eye caused by trapped fluid. People with diabetes often develop cataracts earlier and more aggressively than others. Glaucoma can arise from increased eye pressure caused by trapped fluid, which can damage the eye’s nerves and vessels. Eye care treatments ranging from special drops to laser surgery can improve fluid drainage and relieve both conditions. Retinopathy, the damage to blood vessels in the retina, causes more irreversible blindness among developed nations than any other vision condition. In fact, the longer one has been diabetic, the higher the risk for diabetic retinopathy.

Consistently maintaining target blood sugar levels is key to managing diabetes. It’s also essential to manage all the vision issues diabetes can influence. Partner with an eye care professional to keep your vision clear.