Seniors are more likely to suffer from eye diseases, cataracts, glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration. Advancing age can lead to the appearance of various eye diseases or vision problems in older people. Find out more about the diseases that can occur with age in this article.
Cataracts, an eye disease in seniors
This eye disease occurs around the age of 60. It is characterized by clouding of the lens, which prevents light from reaching the retina and causes blurred vision. Cataracts cause several disorders, including:
- sensitivity to light;
- a decrease in the perception of contrasts;
- the appearance of luminous halos;
- a decrease in visual acuity;
- the feeling of having a veil before your eyes.
Cataracts are most often due to aging of the eye but also to smoking, diabetes, myopia or even alcohol.
AMD, age-related macular degeneration
Age-related macular degenerationusually begins around age 65. It affects the central area of the retina, the macula, which is prone to premature aging. AMD comes in two forms including dry AMD and wet AMD. Dry AMD affects the majority of patients and the disease progresses over several years. The macula atrophies over time and deposits form in the retina, leading to a gradual loss of central vision. In its wet form, which is more serious and is sometimes the second stage of the disease’s development, AMD causes blood vessels to form. These vessels brutally accelerate the loss of central vision and can precipitate disability.
Elderly people and glaucoma
Glaucoma is followed by a noticeable increase in pressure inside the eye. This pressure is due to a degradation of the optic nerve. Seniors will suffer from vision problems, which over time will reduce the visual field. A distinction is made between open angle glaucoma and closed angle glaucoma. The first, which concerns more than 80% of cases, is characterized by an accumulation of aqueous humor in the eye. In the second case, the disease is due to a malformation of the eye.
Symptoms are:
- Sharp pain in the eye;
- A decrease in visual acuity;
- A deterioration in peripheral vision;
- Eye strain.
Eye aging is inevitable. As a senior, you should pay special attention to the health of your eyes by making a regular appointment with an ophthalmologist, once a year for example. Contact our team of specialists now and make an appointment for a consultation.
