The leading causes of blindness and low vision in the United States are primarily age-related eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Other common eye disorders include amblyopia and strabismus.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of loss of vision in people over 65 years of age. AMD is characterized by degeneration of the macula, the area of the retina responsible for central vision (Figure 1).
The major causes of vision impairment and blindness in older adults are age-related eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Your risk for developing age-related eye diseases significantly increases after age 65.
The leading causes of vision impairment and blindness are uncorrected refractive errors and cataracts. The majority of people with vision impairment and blindness are over the age of 50 years; however, vision loss can affect people of all ages.
The major eye diseases among people aged 40 years and older are cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. These diseases are often asymptomatic in the early treatable stages.
The first signs begin to appear when people are in their 60s, although vision may not be seriously compromised until age 70 or older. There is no approved treatment. However, reducing sun exposure and eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables — particularly dark leafy greens — may help prevent or control it.
Most people who start needing glasses or contacts while they're young have at least one of three common vision problems: myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Redness in the eye: Sometimes accompanied by pain, which may be a sign of injury, infection or acute glaucoma. Eye that looks hazy: A cloudy-looking cornea is the most common early sign of childhood glaucoma.
There are 2 types of AMD: dry and wet. Most people with AMD have dry AMD (also called atrophic AMD).
Get emergency medical care if you have sudden changes in vision or an injury to your eye. Specific factors that may accompany urgent vision-related medical conditions include sudden onset of: Severe eye pain or irritation. Vision loss or double vision.
Cataracts: Cloudy Eye Lenses
This area of the eyes is made up mostly of water and protein, and as a person ages, proteins in the eyes may start to collect and cloud vision. Some people develop cataracts as a result of smoking or as a side effect of diabetes. Unfortunately, everyone develops cataracts as they age.
Cataract surgery is the most common refractive surgical procedure performed on aging individuals.
We can't correct our vision without professional help, and there's no quick-and-easy fix for eyesight problems. But with tools such as good nutrition and diet, you can still help your eyesight naturally and on your own. As always, please discuss with your eye doctor.
That's because the skin here is different than on other parts of the body. It's thinner and more delicate, and so it shows signs of aging much faster than other spots in the form of fine lines, puffiness, eyelid sagging and discoloration.
Loss of peripheral vision.
Aging also causes a normal loss of peripheral vision, with the size of our visual field decreasing by approximately one to three degrees per decade of life. By the time you reach your 70s and 80s, you may have a peripheral visual field loss of 20 to 30 degrees.
The primary symptom of peripheral vision loss is tunnel vision. When this symptom occurs, you are only able to see a small circle straight ahead. You may also have difficulty seeing in low light and have trouble walking. Peripheral vision loss does not always occur rapidly.
Around age 60, these changes in near vision should stop, and prescription changes should occur less frequently. Presbyopia can't be prevented or cured, but most people should be able to regain clear, comfortable near vision for all of their lifestyle needs.