As we grow older, the natural wear and tear of life takes its toll on most of our bodily functions and organs. Our eyes are no exception and are susceptible to a wide range of potential problems.
The eyes are one of the most sensitive organs in the entire human body, and also one of the most used. Unfortunately, these two factors combined also make them highly prone to age-related disease and degeneration.
Types of age-related eye diseases (AREDs)
While there is a huge variety of problems that can develop over time with our eyes, some are more common than others. Eye issues are easiest to identify, diagnose and treat if identified early – so you should ensure you regularly visit your qualified optometrist to identify potential issues before they become bigger problems. The most common AREDs include:
Cataracts
Cataracts are one of the most common eye complaints (particularly in the aged). A cataract is typified by a clouding of the lens in the eye, often accompanied by blurred or faltering vision. The proteins present in the lens clump together to form a painless cloudy cover. If left untreated it is possible to go completely blind through cataracts. Indeed, they are the leading cause of blindness globally (normally due to a lack of funding or adequate insurance).
Although cataracts are most prevalent in the elderly, they can appear at any age. Depending on the severity, the recommended treatment will usually be a relatively simple operation to replace the old lenses with new artificial cataract lenses. Surgery usually lasts around an hour and is normally carried out under local anesthetic.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is caused by diseases that increase pressure within the eye. The pressure typically affects the optic nerve and, if left untreated or undetected, can result in partial vision loss or even total blindness.
There are two main types of glaucoma; open-angle or angle-closure. Open-angle is the most common and develops slowly over time, while angle-closure glaucoma is normally sudden and can cause significant pain.
Most dangerously, glaucoma sometimes has no discernible symptoms on the part of the sufferer; often resulting in a sudden loss of sight. The disease itself is treatable with laser treatments, surgery, or eye drops, but it needs to be diagnosed first; just one of many reasons why it’s important to see an eye specialist regularly.
Macular degeneration (age-related)
Macular degeneration is primarily a side effect of aging and, while the disease can happen at any stage of life, it is most prevalent in the over 60s. The condition affects the sight by destroying the macula (a central portion of the retina that affects the ability to focus). However, full blindness is rare, since only the central part of the vision is affected.
Retinal detachment
Retinal detachment is exactly as it sounds; a condition where the retina separates from the underlying structures in the eye, usually caused by a build-up of fluid. Contrary to how it might sound, retinal detachments are often painless but will result in impaired vision. Treatment is mostly by laser surgery.
Eyecare
In all degenerative eye problems, the most important preventative measure you can take is to regularly visit an optometrist for a check-up. The vast majority of eye conditions can be treated relatively easily if identified early.
