Did you know eye problems affect one in six adults over the age of 45? Because the risk for vision loss increases as we age, it is important now more then ever to take good care of your eyes and get an eye exam from your optometrist regularly.
For the elderly presbyopia, long-sight, short sight and astigmatisms account for almost half of visual diseases. Some of these, and other common vision issues which may be experienced as we age, pose a great risk to our ability to see clearly; however in many cases there are preventative steps which can reduce or prevent vision loss before it significantly impacts your vision.
Cataracts
Cataracts are defined as a clouding within the eyes lens. Cataracts develop slowly, almost always negitively affect your vision and become more common as you age.
Common Signs of Cataracts include: Blurry vision, Glare, Faded Colors, Poor Night Vision or Double Vision, among others.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. Glaucoma is usually associated with increased pressure within the eye (interocular pressure), which can result in optic nerve damage. It is crutial that those at risk for Glaucoma have their eyes examined regularly, because in most cases at first there are no telltale signs, however a comprehensive eye exam can detect the onset of Glaucoma.
Age-related Macular Degeneration
Age-related Macular Degeneration usually occurs in people over the age of 50, and gradually damages our sharp, central vision. Because central vision used for seeing objects clearly and for common daily tasks such as reading and driving, Age-related Macular Degeneration is very detrimental.
Common sings of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) include: Blurred Vision, Pigmentary Alterations, Atrophy, Distored Vision, among others.
