4 Eye Conditions That Cause Vision Loss With Aging

With approximately one in three older adults suffering from some form of eye disease or condition that adversely impacts eyesight, loss of vision has become a major healthcare problem in America.

The 4 most common eye diseases or conditions that crop up with aging include glaucoma, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. Since the risk of vision loss increases significantly with aging, it is important that the elderly population gets a comprehensive eye examination.

Below are the symptoms of 4 major age-related eye conditions along with their treatment options:

1. Age-Related Macular Degeneration

A leading cause of vision loss among the elderly population, AMD is characterized by gradual degeneration of the macula which is chiefly responsible for central vision. The common signs and symptoms of AMD include blurred vision, difficulty in reading, image distortion and scotoma (a dark spot in the vision). The most accurate way to diagnose the symptoms of AMD is to undergo a comprehensive eye exam with dilation. The risk of age-related macular degeneration can be averted with a higher dietary intake of foods that are rich in specific carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin.

2. Cataract

Cataract is another common cause of age-related vision impairment in the United States. Patients with significant cataracts often complain of glares and distorted vision. However, a cataract surgery can significantly reduce the blinding impact safely while effectively restoring visual function. More than 90% of patients who undergo a cataract surgery experience a significant improvement in vision. Individuals who are over the age of 40 should undergo a dilated eye exam from an experienced ophthalmologist who is qualified to perform a cataract surgery and preserve vision.

3. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the glaucomatous optic nerve, resulting in peripheral vision loss. The common risk factors associated with glaucoma include aging, diabetes, hypertension, a high degree of myopia and a family history of open-angle glaucoma. This is a chronic eye condition that slowly progresses, resulting in blindness. However, timely intervention and early treatment by an experienced ophthalmologist can protect your eyes from permanent loss of vision. Therefore, if you fall into any one of the high-risk groups mentioned earlier, make sure you schedule an eye exam every year.

4. Diabetic Retinopathy

Mostly affecting middle-aged Americans, diabetic retinopathy is also a leading cause of vision morbidity and can be classified into two categories: proliferative and nonproliferative. The symptoms of proliferative diabetic retinopathy include newly formed blood vessels resulting from retinal ischemia. Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy is characterized by abnormal retinal circulation, retinal edema, cotton-wool spots and intra-retinal hemorrhages.

Minimally invasive surgical options are available for treating this eye condition. Macular laser therapy is also effective in reducing the risk of visual loss associated with diabetic retinopathy. If you have diabetes, it is recommended to visit to an ophthalmologist for a dilated eye exam every other year and if retinopathy is detected, your ophthalmologist may suggest a laser surgery to reduce the risk of blindness.

Identifying and treating any eye condition early on before it leads to blindness is the best possible way to protect your vision. So, if you notice even a slight deterioration in vision, get to an ophthalmologist now for an eye exam before it becomes an emergency.

Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center, an Opthamology Center in California. He writes a blog to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.