Older adults are generally recommended to undergo a complete and thorough eye examination annually. This is suggested because they are at a higher risk of developing several vision related complications. But that doesn’t mean that regular eye care is not important for people from other age groups. For a good vision and eye health, it is highly important that eye care is taken seriously.
With the advancement in technology, it has become possible to diagnose any vision problem at an early stage before they become serious. Also, it enables an optometrist to detect any early symptoms of other health conditions, for example, diabetes and high blood pressure during an eye exam. As we grow older, we experience subtle changes in our vision. This is a part of the aging process. Here, few of the vision problems which are encountered by the older adults are mentioned.
Vision Complications of Older Adults
Presbyopia: It is one of the most common eye condition experienced by older adults. It mostly develops in the early 40s. Inability of the crystalline lens of the eyes to bring close objects into focus leads to presbyopia. It is generally treated by wearing multifocal lenses, contact lenses or reading glasses.
Macular Degeneration: It is one of the main cause of central vision loss found in older people. It results from changes in the macula. Macula is a part of the eye’s retina which is responsible for a sharp, clear vision. If you don’t have a healthy macula, it becomes impossible to see vivid colors or details.
Cataracts: It is cloudiness or an opaque film that develops in the eye’s lens. The symptoms of cataracts include double vision, floaters or spots before the eyes and hazy or blurred vision.
Glaucoma: It occurs when the optic nerve gets damaged due to rise in the fluid pressure in the eye. A person can lose his vision without being aware of it because glaucoma develops over a period of time. It doesn’t cause any eye pain. It can lead to peripheral vision loss and finally to blindness.
