When Eyes Show Their Age

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1 When Eyes Show Their Age A guide to preserving the gift of sight for as long as possible with the compliments of Division of Health Services Diocese of Camden

2 Expect Vision Changes Some loss of visual acuity is a normal part of aging. In fact, our vision changes naturally throughout our lives. The good news is that you can continue to lead an active, independent life, even with minor vision problems. Your Eyes Best Friend The most important thing you can do to preserve your sight is to have your eyes examined regularly. Visiting an eye doctor at least once every other year is essential. Those with diabetes need to go much more often. Talk to your doctor about your eyes and your vision. You can learn what problems may develop, how these problems can be detected and what steps you can take to protect your sight. Regular visits will serve as an early warning system, helping to determine if changes in your eyesight are dangerous. The fact is that many disorders are hardly noticeable in their early stages, yet this is when they can be treated most effectively.

3 Four Conditions We Can All Expect With Age Nearly all of us will experience changes to our vision as we grow older. These minor impairments can be bothersome, but are generally nothing to worry about. Watery or Dry Eyes. It is common for older eyes to make too many or too few tears. As a result, your eyes may constantly feel watery or dry. Your eye doctor may recommend eye drops to relieve the problem. Reduced Night Vision. For most of us, the older we get, the harder it is to see in reduced light. All one can do is take extra precautions when traveling at night and keep eyeglass prescriptions up-to-date. Presbyopia. Difficulty focusing on objects and words that are close up is also part of the aging process. This condition is caused by the formation of small crystals that make the lens of our eye less flexible. As presbyopia progresses, the muscles around the lens can't reshape the lens sufficiently to focus. If the condition becomes advanced, your eye doctor may prescribe glasses or contact lenses to help correct the problem. Floaters. Floaters are the tiny, dancing spots you may see when looking toward a lightcolored background. As long as their numbers do not suddenly increase and they are not accompanied by flashes of light, they are no cause for concern. However, if these additional symptoms occur, consult your eye doctor immediately.

4 When Eyes Show Their Age In one respect, age helps us all to see things more clearly. However, almost everyone's vision suffers as they grow older. That s why it is so important to take steps to preserve the gift of sight for as long as possible, especially now that most of us are able to lead active lives well into our later years. The Four Common Eye Diseases We Must All Guard Against There are four leading causes of blindness among older Americans that are not usually noticeable in the early stages. However, it is in the early stages that these diseases are most treatable. This is why everyone 65 years of age and older should have an eye examination at least every other year. 1. Cataracts. It is estimated that nearly 75 percent of all those 65 or older have cataracts. A cataract is a clouding of the eye's normally clear lens. The only effective treatment is surgical removal, which greatly improves vision in the vast majority of cases. Blurred vision Double vision or ghosted images Sensitivity to glare 2. Glaucoma. Glaucoma is the nation s leading cause of blindness. Yet, once detected, in most cases it can be stopped, generally by surgery. The vision that is lost, however, can t be restored. Most cases of glaucoma develop slowly with a gradual loss of peripheral or side vision. Unfortunately, by the time people notice they have lost some of their side vision, glaucoma has already stolen away much of their ability to see. Some individuals, including people with diabetes, are at higher risk. Having a family history of glaucoma also increases the chances of developing the disease. Risk also increases for people who have had an eye injury or who have taken cortisone medication for an extended period of time. Loss of side vision Inability to adjust to darkened rooms Blurred or foggy vision, especially when awakening Frequent switching of glasses 3. Age-related Macular Degeneration. AMD is the most common cause of severe vision loss among people over 65 years of age. The macula is the small spot in the center of your retina that provides the sharp vision you need for reading and seeing colors clearly. When the disease occurs, your center vision may become blurred, distorted, or you may develop a blind spot. Fortunately, AMD rarely results in complete blindness. Side vision is usually not damaged. There are two forms of AMD. The wet form, although less common, causes the most severe loss of sight. It is called wet because tiny blood vessels grow rapidly beneath the retina. They often break, leaking blood and fluid. The dry form, accounting for 70 to 80 percent of all cases, is caused by a breakdown or thinning of the tissues in the macula. Vision loss with dry AMD is usually less severe. The cause of this disease is unknown. However, treatment, including laser surgery, can be effective for certain types of AMD, especially in the early stages. Once treated, most people can still live a normal life and continue to enjoy many of their favorite activities. Many can make good use of low vision aids, such as magnifiers, to maximize their remaining vision. Recurrent pain in or around the eyes Sudden hazy or blurred vision Double vision and halos around lights Unusual sensitivity to light or glare Change in color of the iris Sudden development of persisting floaters 4. Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new blindness among those 20 to 74 years of age. The longer one has had diabetes, the greater the likelihood of diabetic retinopathy. Thus, people with even mild diabetes should have their eyes examined at least once a year. This disease damages the blood vessels in the retina, causing vision to become blurred and, if untreated, may lead to blindness. Careful control of blood sugar levels greatly reduces the chances of developing this condition. If detected early, laser therapy may effectively reduce the risk of severe or total vision loss. Early warning sign: Blurred vision is the most common symptom Frequent switching of glasses

5 Sources of Additional Information. Glaucoma Research Foundation (800) Macular Degeneration Foundation (888) National Association for Visually Handicapped (212) National Eye Institute (301) Prevent Blindness America (800) To order additional quantities of our educational pamphlets, call toll-free: DIOCESE ( ) THE MANOR AT ST. MARY S Full Service Residence for Active Seniors 220 St. Mary s Drive, Cherry Hill, NJ ST. MARY S CATHOLIC HOME 210 St. Mary s Drive, Cherry Hill, NJ OUR LADY S MULTI-CARE CENTER 1100 Clematis Avenue, Pleasantville, NJ BISHOP MCCARTHY RESIDENCE 1045 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ MATER DEI NURSING HOME Skilled Nursing Home 176 Route 40, Newfield, NJ MDU, Inc. All Rights Reserved