Eye care of seniors (60 years and above)
Do you know that as you get older, you might experience a number of vision related issues, such as cataract, glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration (AMD)? One in 10 people are affected in there 60’s and one in three people after 75 years.
As you reach 60, your vision needs to be given the utmost attention since it is weakening. But it is not a fatality! Solutions exist to deal with effects of visual troubles so that you do not find your habits shaken up.
Causes of Age-Related Visual Disorders
Ocular aging is a natural process that occurs with presbyopia as one reaches 45 years old. This is due to a loss of flexibility and aging of the lens. The vision declines as from 60 years old.
The risk factors leading to vision decline and aging of the eyes vary from one person to another;
- natural aging and lack of oxygenation make the eye more sensitive to light
- the cornea and crystalline lens are increasingly being attacked by unstable molecules called free radicals
- lifestyle
- exposure to UV or blue violet light from screens and LEDs throughout life
The consequences of ocular aging
Among the most common are glaucoma, AMD and cataract.
- Glaucoma creates a narrowing of the field of vision that can eventually cause total blindness.
- AMD (for age-related Macular Degeneration) causes loss of central vision.
- Cataract renders the view more cloudy because of a loss of transparency of the lens.
But eye disorders can have many other causes from the sixties. Type 1 and 2 diabetes, for example, are likely to cause retinopathy. This results in poor irrigation of the eyes and possible loss of sight. To contain these effects, the best solution remains prevention.
What are the preventive solutions?
A visit to the optometrist every 12 to 18 months makes it possible to detect any changes and risks while giving the possibility to access better care.
It is crucial to protect yourself from UV and blue light daily by adopting glasses with appropriate lenses.
