Why Elderly Eye Tests are So Important
As we get older, our vision starts to change. However, these changes don’t have to alter your entire life, and there are many ways you can protect your eye health.
After the age of 60, there can be warning signs of potential eye problems which lead to loss of vision. Some of these conditions are asymptomatic but if you get regular eye exams, then these disease can be detected as early as possible.
The most common eye problems as you age include the following:
- Reading difficulties. Starting at the age of 45, muscles in the eye start to weaken as a process from aging. As you get to age 60, most people need reading glasses in addition to their prescription.
- Floaters are small spots or specks that float across your vision. In general, these are harmless. However, if they pop up too often, it could be a sign of another health condition.
- Cataracts are a clouding of the eye lens that commonly develops after the age of 60. The good news with cataracts is that they can be easily detected in an eye exam and a simple operation can restore your sight.
- Glaucoma results from pressure in the eye that damages the optic nerve (a nerve that connects the eye to the brain). If left undetected, glaucoma can severely damage your vision and cause tunnel vision, sometimes even blindness. With early detection, complications from glaucoma can be treated with eye drops.
- Macular degeneration. As people age, they can develop a disease of the retina called macular degeneration. The retina is located in the back of your eye and is made up of nerve tissue. There are two types of macular degeneration. The first kind develops slowly and get worse as it progresses. The second type gets worse very rapidly. If this occurs, you need to seek medical attention right away.
- Diabetic retinopathy. In patients with diabetes, they can develop a condition called Diabetic retinopathy, which affects both eyes. The tiny vessels in the retina become progressively damaged, and they can leak blood or fluids that swell retinal tissue, as well as cloud vision. If you have diabetes for a longer period of time, your odds of developing this condition are much higher. In addition, if a person has an unstable glucose measurement, this can also increase the severity of diabetic retinopathy. In the most extreme cases, this condition can cause blindness.
- Retinal detachment. Retinal detachment is when the retina detaches from its underlying tissue. This condition can happen instantly when there are changes in the fluid from the back of the eye. The most common causes include a traumatic blow to the eye or head, health issues such as advanced diabetes, and inflammatory eye disorders. If a retinal detachment is left untreated, you could lose your vision permanently.
Don’t Forget Your Trusty Eye Test
Some people may think that an eye test is to determine whether you need glasses or to adjust your current prescription. Eye tests also are an important step in determining the health of your eyes. These tests will check your vision from all angles, and look for age-related changes in the eyes. If you notice anything is wrong with your eyes or you haven’t had an exam in a while, be sure to make an appointment right away. Eyes should be tested every 2 years, or more if requested by an optician.
The team at Dr. Ghosheh Advanced Eye Care want to make sure all of our patients are well looked after. If you have any concerns with your eye health, be sure to get in touch with us today.