(NC) Canada’s population is aging, and with that comes a greater risk of health ailments—including vision problems. As we get older, our eyes become more susceptible to vision-threatening conditions.
Understanding how our eyes change over time can help inform us of proactive steps to protect and maintain our eye health. Here are three of the most common conditions that can affect your vision as you age:
Cataracts:
Cataracts are a part of aging and happen when the lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. After the age of 60, most everyone will develop cataracts. Symptoms include blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light, double vision and dulling of colours.
Cataracts are treatable, usually beginning with an update to your eyeglass or contact lens prescription. If the cataracts progress, your eye doctor may recommend removing them surgically, depending on their severity.
Glaucoma:
Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye diseases that lead to vision loss by damaging the optic nerve, which carries signals from your eyes to your brain. The risk of glaucoma increases after age 55, with symptoms that may include seeing halos around lights, blurred vision, eye pain and redness.
Although glaucoma is irreversible, regular eye exams can result in early detection and there are several treatments, including medications and surgery, that can be used to prevent optic nerve damage and vision loss.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD):
AMD is the leading cause of vision loss among older adults, affecting around 2.5 million Canadians. Dry AMD is the most common form of the disease, accounting for 85-90 per cent of cases.
The condition starts when the macula, a part of your retina, becomes damaged. At first, symptoms are often unnoticeable but can worsen quickly. Your central vision can become very blurry or completely dark, making simple tasks like reading and recognizing faces difficult.
The first Health Canada-approved device for dry AMD, MacuMira, is currently the only treatment available. It uses a device to deliver a low-level microcurrent through closed eyelids, which stimulates your eyes’ retinal pigment epithelium cells. This has been shown to improve vision in recipients in some cases by two full lines on their eye exam charts.
Stay on top of regular check-ups, and ask your eye care professional about dry AMD, early detection and available treatments. You can also learn more at macumira.com.
