4 Common Aging Eye Problems that Can Impair Your Vision
- Reviewed by Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Just like the rest of your body, your eyes naturally change over time. Routine eye exams are important for keeping your vision clear and your eyes healthy as you age.
The following are four eye conditions that become more common as you get older:
Cataract. This clouding of the lens usually develops slowly over many years. You may not notice the cloudiness until it blocks your central line of sight and impairs your vision. Your eye doctor can see these changes during a routine exam. But if and when you need surgery can be hard to predict.
Glaucoma. Glaucoma usually develops when pressure builds up in the front part of the eye. The pressure is caused by a buildup of fluid. Glaucoma is often called a “silent” disease, because most people don’t notice anything wrong until the optic nerve is affected and vision starts to fade. The best way to catch glaucoma early is a simple eye pressure test called tonometry, a standard part of regular eye exams.
Age-related macular degeneration. AMD damages the macula, the part of the eye responsible for seeing sharp details at the center of the field of vision. As a result, the condition can make it difficult to read, write, or drive a car. There are two forms: dry AMD and the more advanced wet AMD. A special vitamin formula can help slow dry AMD. For those with wet AMD, research has provided effective therapies to help slow its progression.
Diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes is characterized by a buildup of sugar in the bloodstream, which can damage blood vessels and organs throughout the body— including the eyes. Good blood sugar and blood pressure control can delay and even prevent diabetes related eye damage, such as diabetic retinopathy.
If diabetic retinopathy does occur, it’s caused by leaky or unstable blood vessels in the eye that damage the retina, the part of the eye that senses light.
For more information about keeping your eyes healthy, read The Aging Eye, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.
Image: © miodrag ignjatovic/GettyImage
About the Reviewer
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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