The 4 Most Common Age-Related Eye Diseases

At age 65, one in three Americans has some type of eye condition that affects vision. There are four major age-related eye diseases (ARED) affecting older people: glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Knowing the symptoms and treatments for each of these conditions can help you protect your vision and that of an aging loved one.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma occurs when pressure rises inside the eye, which can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss and blindness. There are usually no initial symptoms, so up to a million people may have glaucoma without realizing it. This condition is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States.

Glaucoma has no obvious symptoms at first. However, as the disease progresses, a person with glaucoma may notice that their side or peripheral vision is gradually failing. Victims may experience worsening tunnel vision if left untreated.

There are many different types of medications (in the form of eye drops and pills) used to treat glaucoma. In some people, however, medications alone do not successfully control increased eye pressure and surgery is necessary. A type of surgery called trabeculoplasty uses a laser to improve fluid flow out of the eye, thereby reducing pressure. This can be done in your doctor's office. There is also a conventional surgery called trabeculectomy in which your doctor creates a new drainage path in the eye, under the eyelid.

Risk factors for glaucoma include age, family history of glaucoma, use of steroid medications, and nearsightedness.

Cataratas

A cataract is a generally clear opacity of the eye's lens. The lens is made up of water and proteins, but if the protein clumps together, it can begin to obscure the transmission of light through the lens. If the cataract worsens and begins to seriously affect vision, surgery may be needed to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a new one.

People with cataracts often complain of glare, blurred/blurry vision, double vision in one eye, or halos around lights. Surgery is the only way to correct vision loss caused by cataracts.

Aging is a major risk factor for cataracts, and women are at slightly higher risk than men. People who smoke, don't protect their eyes from the sun, and have a family history of cataracts are also more likely to develop them.

Macular degeneration

Macular degeneration (DM) decreases eyesight in a dramatic way: it affects one's central vision. Although people with MD rarely become completely blind because of this condition, many find it difficult to read, drive, and perform other daily functions. This condition affects the macula, an area in the center of the retina that is responsible for focused central vision.

In the early stages of DM, there are usually no visual symptoms. A person's central vision will eventually appear wavy or blurry and, in advanced cases, may disappear completely. However, peripheral vision usually remains intact because the rest of the retina is still healthy. Even with some vision remaining, people with MD can find it difficult to detect fine details and colors.

MD is considered an incurable eye disease, but there are some treatments that can help slow its progression. People with macular degeneration can be treated with laser surgery and injections of anti-angiogenic drugs. Low vision devices are also useful for maintaining an active and independent lifestyle despite visual changes.

Age is the biggest risk factor for developing MD. An estimated 6.5 percent of Americans age 40 and older have some degree of macular degeneration. Family history, race (whites seem to be at higher risk than blacks or Hispanics), high blood pressure, and smoking are other risk factors.

Diabetic Retinopathy

This potentially blinding disorder is a complication of diabetes. La diabetes causes abnormal changes in the blood vessels in the retina, causing them to leak and grow where they shouldn't. These new vessels tend to rupture and bleed. As they try to heal, damaged blood vessels will contract and detach the retina.

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include shadows or dark objects that appear to “float” in your field of vision, blurred or distorted vision, partial loss of vision, and eye pain.

Consistent high blood sugar levels and high blood pressure are associated with retinopathy. Type 2 diabetics who use the drug rosiglitazone (brand names Avandia, Avandamet, and Avandaryl) to control their blood sugar level may have a higher risk of problems.

There is no cure for diabetic retinopathy. However, laser treatment (photocoagulation) is often very effective in preventing vision loss if done before the retina has been seriously damaged. Surgical removal of the vitreous gel (vitrectomy) can also help improve vision if the condition is detected early.

Eye exams that every elderly person should have

Age-related eye diseases are diagnosed through an examination by an ophthalmologist. A comprehensive eye exam should include at least the following three tests.

— Visual acuity test: The well-known optometric chart with letters measures how well you see at various distances.

— Pupil dilation: drops are placed in the eye to widen the pupil. This allows the doctor to see more of the retina and look for signs of illness. After the exam, near vision may be blurry for several hours.

— Tonometry: This test determines the pressure of the fluid inside the eye, and there are many methods for doing so. An “air puff” test is the most common way to detect high intraocular pressure. It's a painless process in which a small jet of air is fired against the cornea. Other, more complex tests may be required to obtain more accurate readings.

Most age-related eye conditions need to be detected and treated early on to prevent lasting damage. A full eye exam is recommended every one to two years, depending on the person's age and unique risk factors. These tests are vital for detecting diseases such as glaucoma and MD that have no obvious symptoms in the early stages. If you or a loved one is experiencing noticeable changes in vision, it's critical to schedule an appointment for an eye exam as soon as possible.

Source: www.agingcare, com