As you age, it is a natural progression for changes to occur with your eyes. Once you reach your 60s, your eyes will likely not perform as well. Poor vision as you age may affect your ability to drive and read without glasses. Also, you are at an increased risk of eye diseases, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. Keep regular appointments with an optometrist to treat any eye disorders.
Significance
The most common age-related eye disorder is a condition known as presbyopia. Presbyopia occurs when you have difficulty focusing the eyes on objects up close. Holding an object farther away may help you be able to see it more clearly.
Identification
Approximately half of all individuals over the age of 65 have some form of cataracts, according to the Mayo Clinic. The percentage grows even higher as you enter your 70s and 80s. Cataracts are the clouding of the lens of the eye. Clouded vision makes it difficult to read and drive.
Time Frame
Although eye changes tend to occur later in life, age-related eye changes may occur as early as your 30s, according to the Medline Plus website. Furthermore, almost everyone needs glasses at least part of the time after reaching age 55. After you turn 65, you need yearly eye exams whether or not you have worn glasses in the past.
Types
The most serious forms of age-related eye diseases include macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Macular degeneration may lead to blindness and slowly destroys your central vision. Glaucoma impairs the optic nerve. Diabetic retinopathy is a side-effect of diabetes which causes damage to the retina.
Treatment
If you are suffering from an age-related eye disorder, your optometrist can help. Reading glasses and multifocal lenses are available to treat presbyopia. To remove cataracts from the eyes, you need to undergo surgery. Laser treatments and medicated eye drops are prescribed to treat glaucoma. Controlling your blood sugar relieves diabetic retinopathy. Unfortunately, you are unable to restore lost vision caused by macular degeneration.
