Our eyes play a big role in our daily lives, but it can be easy to overlook them. Eye health should be a concern throughout our lives. But, as we get older, there are additional things to look for when it comes to our eye health. January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, which makes this the perfect time to learn about Glaucoma and other age-related eye health!
Did you know your eyes can be the first sign of a number of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure? Our eyes not only let us view the world, they let our doctors get a view of our health.
Age-Related Eye Concerns
You can develop problems with your vision or concerns for your eye health at any time. However, some common eye conditions become more likely as we age.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma has been referred to as the “silent blinder.” This is because it is one of the leading causes of blindness and there often aren’t early symptoms. It’s possible to have glaucoma and not know until symptoms of blindness have begun. With regular eye exams, Glaucoma can be detected early, and treatment can slow its progression. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Glaucoma and vision loss can’t be reversed, so early detection and treatment are key.
Macular Degeneration
You may hear Macular Degeneration referred to as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) because it is so frequently associated with aging. You may also hear things like “wet macular” or “dry macular,” which are types of Macular Degeneration. Unlike with Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration rarely causes blindness, though it is one of the most common causes of significant vision loss related to aging.
Cataracts
One of the most well-known eye health concerns is cataracts. More than half of those over the age of 80 have cataracts and most cataracts are age-related. Cataracts can make your vision blurry and lead to vision loss, but they are completely reversible through surgery. Even though most are age-related, you can help protect your eyes from cataracts by protecting them from the sun and injury and by making lifestyle changes such as choosing healthy foods and avoiding smoking.
Floaters
Floaters are discussed less often than other eye health concerns. At various times throughout your life, you may have noticed small flecks floating across your vision. These are floaters. As you age, parts of your eye change and can cause bigger or more noticeable floaters. Floaters can also be a sign of other issues, such as nearsightedness, diabetes, torn retina, or eye inflammation. Like with any eye or general health concerns, it’s always important to consult a doctor when you have any concerns. The good news – most age-related floaters don’t require treatment.
Eye Concerns to Watch for
Beyond an annual eye exam, it can be difficult to know when an eye or vision concern may mean it’s time to call the eye doctor. These are some frequent vision-related concerns that you may want to keep an eye out for.
Blurry or Double Vision
You may notice that your vision doesn’t seem as crisp as before or that it’s harder to read – especially small prints. With double vision, depending on the severity, you may feel like you are seeing two of something when there should only be one. Neither of these is a guaranteed cause of concern. It could just be normal vision changes that can be corrected with glasses or contacts. A visit to the eye doctor can determine not only how to correct blurry vision, but also make sure it’s not a symptom of another disease.
Headaches
Did you know headaches can be a sign of an issue with your eyes? Certain types of headaches can be caused by eye strain. If you have blurry vision, your eyes have to work overtime to focus when you read. This leads to eye strain and possible headaches. If you are concerned about headaches, you should consult your doctor. Regular eye exams can also help to determine if you have eye strain that may be contributing to headaches.
Dryness or Pressure
Sometimes you may feel a strange, or different, sensation in your eyes. They may feel dry like a desert or gritty like sandpaper. You may also feel a sense of pressure in or behind your eye. These are both relatively common eye-related concerns, both of which are important to discuss with your eye doctor.
Spots
At some point in your life, you have probably noticed a dark spot(s) moving around in your vision. These can be considered spots or floaters, or they can be blind spots in your vision. Sometimes these are benign and just happen. Other times, especially as we age, they can be a sign of an eye, or other health, issue. If you notice a change in your vision, a large spot or floater, or a spot or floater that doesn’t go away, talk to your eye doctor.
Resources and Tools
When your vision changes as you age, you may find that some of the activities you want or need to do, like reading a book or getting dressed, become more difficult. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. There are many resources and tools available to support eye health and vision challenges. In this era of technology, new tools are continuously being created.
Glasses, Contacts, and Surgeries
We briefly mentioned these in our discussion of age-related eye problems and eye concerns to watch for. By the age of 55, 91% of people either wear glasses or contacts. At an annual eye exam, your eye doctor will perform tests that determine the strength of prescription you need, and whether you need special lenses such as bifocals or trifocals. During this process, you can discuss with your doctor if you would prefer glasses or contacts, and what option would be best for you. Before your appointment, it can be important to know the specifics of your insurance coverage. Many vision insurance plans offer a spending allowance on glasses frames, but they may only offer it every other year. They may also only cover certain lenses or up to a dollar value of lenses. Knowing your coverage in advance can reduce your risk of a surprise bill for your new glasses. Some vision difficulties, like cataracts, can be corrected with surgery, and can prevent the need for glasses or contacts. If you have a condition like cataracts, talk to your doctor about the best treatment options for you.
Drops, Vitamins, Medications, and Ointments
There are a lot of products marketed to support or improve eye health. Whether over-the-counter or prescription, options range from drops and ointments to vitamins and medications. Some are generic and say they support overall eye health, while others target specific ailments or conditions. Before using any over-the-counter products, consult with your doctor. They can help with understanding the pros and cons of using it, and ensure there are not interactions with any other medications or products you are using.
Other Tools
One of the easiest tools you can start using if you’re having challenges with your eyes is a magnifying glass. They’re widely available at most stores and can be extremely affordable. There are also many options, such as ones with handles, large ones the size of your page, ones on stands, and even pocket-sized options that are more portable. Making adjustments to your lighting is another easily implemented tool that can help improve your vision. Just being in a well-lit space can help you see more easily.
Technology has many great tools that make it more accessible as our vision decreases. When using a cellphone, tablet, or computer, you can customize your device settings to meet your vision needs. The simplest, and most well known, option is to increase the size of the font on your screen. Another popular option with devices is changing the color or contrast settings, which can change your screen from a white background with black text to a black background with white text, among other things. Newer advances in technology have made it possible to enable settings to have your device read the screen out loud to you, including a description of photos if they have been provided. Another great option is using talk to text, where you can tell your device what you want to say and it will type it for you.
When your vision changes as you age, one of the things that may become the most challenging or concerning is driving. Senior living can be a great help with this. Whether you live in independent living, assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing, transportation is always available. If you need to go to the doctor, the grocery, or to pick up new glasses we’ll get you there and home. If you want to learn more, we’d love to talk to you! The Ohio Masonic Communities offers three senior living communities across the state of Ohio – Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio, Springfield Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio, and Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio. If you are interested in learning more about one of our communities, give us a call at 1 (877) 881-1623 or contact us here.