All of us expect our body to change with age. The same is true for the eyes as well. The most common age related eye diseases include cataract, Age Related Macular Degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and dry eyes.
In addition to this, the eye undergoes several age related changes. These changes cannot really be labelled as age related eye diseases, since they are part of the natural process of ageing.
These include:
Presbyopia: Need for reading glasses
Another important age related change in vision is presbyopia, which is the need for near vision glasses. While we cannot strictly classify this as a disease, presbyopia is an age related change in vision. In your early forties, you will realize that you require glasses for reading and near work. You will also notice an increased dependence on reading glasses over time. Moreover, the power of reading glasses that you need will gradually, and progressively increase from +1 to +2.5.
The natural lens become harder, and less flexible over time, resulting in these changes. Thus, the ability of the lens to change its shape, and consequently, focus well for different distances, is lost.
Other age related changes
The natural lens of the eye not only becomes harder and cloudier, the color of the lens also changes. This process is called nuclear sclerosis. The nerve fibers in the optic nerve also progressively die. These are all natural changes due to age. When this change is exaggerated or pronounced or faster than normal, it leads to a disease.
For example, as the ageing process continues, you might experience changes in your vision due to the lens becoming cloudy. This clouding of the lens is called a cataract.
What are the most common age related eye diseases?
The most common eye problems of the elderly are the following:
Cataract
A cataract is defined as loss of the naturally transparency of the lens of the eye. As the lens becomes cloudy or opaque, you will notice a change in your vision. Symptoms of cataract include blurring or clouding of vision, and colors may seem faded. You may also experience a lot of glare, and consequently, and find it difficult to drive at night. With time, the cataract progresses, and these symptoms also increase.
Treatment
In the initial stages, your eye doctor will try eye glasses to improve your vision. In case these do not help, the doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of cataract surgery. Modern day cataract surgery is a very safe and effective procedure. It involves the removal of the cataractous lens through a very small incision, and implantation of an artificial lens.
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD is one of the most common causes of permanent vision loss. It is therefore, one of the most important age related eye diseases. The macula is the most light sensitive part of the retina. When the macula gets affected due to AMD, there is sharp deterioration in central vision.
Treatment
There are two variants of AMD, Wet AMD and Dry AMD. Wet AMD is more aggressive, but can be treated with lasers and intravitreal injections. Dry AMD is more indolent, but doesn’t have a definite treatment. Most doctors will recommend eye specific vitamins in patients of AMD, even though there is no definite evidence that it helps.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the most common cause of irreversible blindness in the world. It is characterized by damage to the optic nerve, which is the nerve that connects the eye to the brain. Glaucoma is usually associated with high eye pressures, and the vision loss typically is peripheral initially. Glaucoma has no symptoms in the initial stages, and therefore, can only be detected on routine eye evaluations. If detected on time, glaucoma blindness is preventable.
Treatment
The two major types of glaucoma are Angle Closure Glaucoma and Open Angle Glaucoma. Your doctor will recommend lasers, and eye drops or surgery to treat the disease.
Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetes can cause several problems in the eye. In fact, diabetic retinopathy is an age related eye disease that causes significant loss of vision. The high blood sugars damage to the small blood vessels of the retina, making them fragile. These blood vessels then leak fluid and blood into the retina, causing decrease in vision. Diabetes can also affect the optic nerve, and accelerate the formation of cataract. Diabetics are thus at a much higher risk of cataract and glaucoma.
Treatment
To control diabetic eye disease, doctors will advise you to control your blood sugar. In addition, your doctor may recommend retinal lasers and intravitreal injections to prevent the loss of vision.
Dry Eye
Dry eye is a very common problem that affects the eyes of the elderly. This may be due to inadequate tear production, or when tears evaporate too quickly. You will notice that your eyes remain dry and sore, and are often red. Your vision may be blurred, and may suffer from frequent eye infections.
Treatment
Your doctor will suggest treatment of any predisposing factors for the dryness, and the use of tear supplements. Your doctor may also suggest punctual plugs to decrease tear drainage. The associated diseases that require treatment include meibomian gland disease, atrophy of lacrimal gland, and disorders of lid position including entropion and ectropion.
Diagnosis and management of age related eye diseases
Most of these diseases are asymptomatic in the early stages, and can potentially cause severe vision loss. It is therefore important to diagnose and manage them in the early stages effectively. You must be regular with the annual comprehensive dilated eye examination so that these diseases are picked up in the initial stages.
Even if you have no symptoms, and your vision is perfect, you must visit your eye doctor at least once a year. If these diseases are diagnosed early enough, most of them will not impact your quality of life. Your doctor can start the appropriate treatment early. and vision loss can thus be prevented.
In addition, if you experience any decrease in vision, you must visit your eye doctor promptly. Always remember that strict blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol control will help ward off age related eye diseases. A healthy, balanced diet, along with exercise, is essential for eye health in all.
