Vision

Vision care strategies for seniors

As people begin to age, several problems can develop with the eyes. Most of these eye problems are associated more with the 50-plus age group, but can always strike earlier. Although you may have never heard of this by its technical name, presbyopia, this is what happens when you can no longer see close objects or small print. This begins sometime after the age of 40 and will gradually increase as a person ages but can be corrected with a simple pair of reading glasses.

Floaters

Ever see those tiny spots or specks that seem to float across your field of vision? They're called “floaters.” Usually they are more noticeable in well-lit rooms or outdoors on a bright day. Floaters can be normal, but can also indicate a more serious eye problem, such as retinal detachment. If you notice a sudden change in the type or number of spots or flashes you see, visit your eye doctor as soon as possible.

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes are another very common vision problem with people 50 and up. The tear glands cannot make enough tears or produce poor quality tears. Dry eyes can be uncomfortable, causing itching, burning, or rarely, some loss of vision. There are some home remedies that the doctor might ask you to try before he attempts anything more serious, such as using a humidifier. Other home remedies include nutritional supplements such as flaxseed oil, medications to reduce inflammation or special eye drops that simulate real tears.

Cataracts

Cataracts are cloudy areas that cover some or the entire eye lens. A healthy eye lens is clear, so light has no problem passing through it to the retina, where images are processed. When a cataract is present, the light cannot get through the lens as easily and as a result, vision can be impaired. Cataracts form slowly, causing no pain, redness or tearing in the eye. Some stay small and do not alter eyesight. If they become large or thick, cataracts can usually be removed by surgery.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma develops when the optic nerve is damaged. It is also often accompanied by an increase in the pressure in the eye. If not treated early, this can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness. Heredity, age and race are significant risk factors for glaucoma. Glaucoma is less commonly caused by other factors such as injury to the eye, severe eye infection, blockage of blood vessels and inflammatory disorders of the eye.