Aging-Related Eye Disorders

Last issue, we discussed changes to our eyes and vision that normally occur as we age. We promised you a follow-up article on aging-related eye disorders. Well, here it is. While there is a longer list of disorders that might be discussed, we’ve focused on the four disorders that most often impact Older Adults.

Glaucoma is a condition that can damage the optic nerve of the eye. Normally painless, it is caused by elevated pressure from a build-up of fluid within the eye.

Glaucoma affects at least 2 million adults in the United States. As many as 1 million people may have glaucoma and don’t know it. Usually starting with a loss of peripheral vision, it can progress slowly or rapidly, and can lead to a total loss of vision if it is not detected and treated. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. See below for an illustration of vision impacted by glaucoma.

Glaucoma is treated by lowering and controlling the pressure within the eye, usually with eye drops and occasionally with laser surgery. Glaucoma is easily controlled, but the patient must follow medication directions carefully.

A cataract is a clouding of the lens within the eye. As the clouding progresses, it makes it harder to see. Normally painless, people with cataracts often begin to complain about glare, and may need increased light to read. As many as 5.5 million adults in the United States have one or more cataracts. Cataracts are the most common cause for reduced vision. See below for an illustration of vision impacted by cataracts.

Cataracts can be addressed with modern surgical techniques, replacing the clouded lens with a synthetic implant. Vision can be corrected to pre-cataract condition, or even better (although reading glasses are often required). More than 1 million cataract surgeries are performed each year, and they are successful 95% or more of the time. This surgery should be done as soon as the visual blur "gets in the way" of normal activity. There’s no need to wait for a cataract to "ripen."

Unlike Glaucoma and Cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) diminishes sight in a dramatic way: by affecting central vision. Although it rarely causes blindness, those with AMD find it difficult to read, drive and perform other daily activities. Frequency of this disorder increases substantially after age 60, and five percent or more of those over age 65 have some vision loss due to AMD. "Dry AMD" represents 90% of the cases; it progresses slowly and rarely leads to blindness, but is not medically treatable. "Wet AMD" represents 10% of the cases; it often progresses rapidly and frequently leads to vision loss, with some cases treatable by laser surgery. See below for an illustration of vision impacted by AMD. Use of vision-assisting antioxidants (such as Vitamins A, C and E and LUTEIN) is often suggested.

This potentially blinding disorder is a complication of diabetes. Diabetes causes abnormal changes in the blood vessels throughout the body, including the retina. It can cause hemorrhaging of blood vessels in the eye, tainting the eye’s normal fluid (which should remain clear). When the blood vessels heal, they can contract and cause a detached retina. About 16 million people in the United States have diabetes. Nearly 25,000 cases of blindness occur annually because of diabetes. See below for an illustration of vision impacted by Diabetic Retinopathy.

Laser surgery has dramatically improved the chances for saving a person’s vision. It is very important for people with diabetes to control blood sugar levels and to have regular eye examinations.

Resource

National Eye Institute, 301-496-5248; www.nei.nih.gov