7 Common Eye Disorders That Affect Older Adults

As we age, we often experience some typical signs that let us know we are a little bit older than we were yesterday. Such signs include creaking joints, wrinkled skin, and greying hair. However, we will also likely notice changes in our vision that remind us that our eyes are aging.

Fortunately, regular eye exams can help slow down this process or provide us with a warning that our eyesight could be changing.

1. Cataracts

One day, the sun is shining brightly, but then the next day, the world might seem a little cloudy. While this could be a typical weather change, it can also indicate an alteration happening to the lens in the eye.

Just like everything else in our body, the lenses in our eyes can potentially wear down. When this happens, the lens becomes foggy and so does our vision.

With modern surgical techniques, such as cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange, changing the lens in your eye and replacing it with an intraocular lens (IOL) is now a fairly straightforward procedure, potentially fully restoring your vision.

However, the results can sometimes differ from one patient to another in terms of recovery time and final outcome.

2. Age-related macular degeneration

The macula is a small area in the middle of the retina (the region at the back of the eye) and is responsible for our central vision, colour perception, and the finer details that we see.

Just like the rest of our body, the macula can begin to degenerate over the years, leading to blurred vision, pain in the eye, and dark spots. While there is sadly no cure for this condition at this time, you can take certain supplements to help slow down the process. 

Regular eye exams can monitor the condition, and corrective glasses can also be beneficial for this issue.

3. Age-related farsightedness 

As soon as we hit 40 years old, our bodies really start to show us that they are aging. For example, many people during this time will require reading glasses. 

Age-related farsightedness is a common aging issue that makes it harder to focus on objects, hence the need for reading glasses. 

A variety of factors can cause this condition, such as the eye muscles losing their elasticity or the lens becoming hard and, therefore, less flexible in the eye’s natural movements.

Corrective lenses and laser eye surgery are viable options for correcting this issue. Your ophthalmologist can help you determine which choice is suitable based on your vision and overall eye health.

4. Glaucoma

Typically, when people think of glaucoma, they associate it with diabetes. While there is an increased risk for diabetics, even healthy people can also succumb to this condition.

Glaucoma is a build-up of pressure in the eye itself. This pressure impacts the optic nerve, which in turn affects the images and signals sent to our brains. Left untreated, this can result in permanent vision loss. 

Therefore, speak to your eyecare team about your risk of glaucoma and the treatment options open to you.

5. Watery eyes

Infants and people over the age of 50 can often experience watery eyes. By this, we mean that there is an overproduction of tears or a problem with the draining of tear production, so your eyes “water” more frequently.

Depending on the cause of watery eyes, you may also experience eye pain, headaches, and vision impairment. The treatment for this condition will depend on the root cause.

The treatments include clearing the tear ducts, surgery, and/or medications. There are many options available, and your eyecare professionals can advise you on the best course of action.

6. Dry eyes

On the other hand, some people suffer from dry eyes. This is a condition where the cornea, or the surface of the eye, dries out due to insufficient tear production, or the tears evaporate too quickly. 

This can lead to discomfort and pain, burning, and itching in the eyes. Office workers who use computers daily can also suffer from this issue. Fortunately, there are over-the-counter eye drops that can help, but if your condition is age-related, then your eyecare team can suggest other options.

7. Retinal detachment

The retina is the part at the back of the eye where the image we see is reflected and then transmitted through the optic nerve to our brain. 

The older we get, the retina can also begin to show signs of aging and even detach from the back of the eye.

Aside from being extremely painful and causing vision issues, this can be a severe condition that requires immediate attention. In such a scenario, head straight to the ER for help.

Contact the Eyecare Experts

Of course, there is no cure for growing older, and despite our best efforts, it will happen to us all eventually. Still, we do have some control over our eye health. Even if we are unfortunate enough to develop a declining eye condition, there are now various options available. 

For example, LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) or laser eye surgery is now a common daily procedure. The risks have been significantly lowered as techniques have improved. The right candidates for the surgery can see (literally) results in a matter of hours.

At Clearview Vision Institute, our goal is to improve the vision for all Ontarians in the coming decades with everything from corrective laser eye surgery to effective treatments and preventative measures.

So, call us today at 647-493-6371 or contact us online and talk to us about how we can help improve your vision today.