Common Age-Related Eye Problems And Their Treatment

• May 15, 2024

As we age, our bodies need extra care, especially the eyes. With each passing year, the human body goes through many changes that impact our overall health, including our eyes. Our eyesight tends to weaken and become prone to frequent eye problems. 

This is why it becomes essential to maintain optimal eye health. Doing things as simple as maintaining proper nutrition and hydration, avoiding computer screens for longer durations, and, most importantly, visiting a trusted eye care facility for regular eye exams helps a lot. 

A routine eye check-up goes a long way, as early detection of a disorder can help you from facing an irreversible condition lifelong. 

This blog lists some common age-related eye problems and their treatments for aiding eye health. Understanding these disorders and healthy eye care tips will help you actively take care of your eyes. 

Presbyopia 

Presbyopia, an eye-related problem that usually occurs in the mid-forties, is a basic eye-related issue that occurs with age. 

It is often seen as a reading problem, meaning that the patient finds it hard to read books, newspapers, or other materials because of blurry vision. 

Treatment 

An early and primary treatment for Presbyopia is to get it checked and find the right glass with the correct diopter. A minus sign in front of the diopter value denotes nearsightedness (short-sightedness), while a positive sign indicates farsightedness. People with presbyopia require more vision correction as their plus value increases.

Glaucoma 

Glaucoma and eye illness are conditions that cause the destruction of your eye's retinal nerves. It typically happens when fluid accumulates in the anterior region of the eye. The additional liquid raises strain in the eye, causing damage to the optical pathway. 

This condition causes two types of glaucoma: open-angle glaucoma and closed-angle glaucoma. These conditions result in blurry vision, severe headaches, and rainbow-coloured rings.

Treatment 

Glaucoma can be prevented for a while with the help of regular medication and constant usage of eye drops to prevent redness, pain, and discomfort. For long-term glaucoma treatment, you have to undergo surgeries. 

Trabeculoplasty and iridotomy is the laser eye treatment that is effective and has a long-lasting impact on treating Glaucoma. 

Dry Eyes 

Several factors contribute to dry eyes in older persons, namely increased use of chronic and topical drugs, lid loosening, hormonal fluctuations (menopause), inflammation diseases of the system, and oxidative stress, among others. 

However, this condition is not untreatable and could be treated with the right medication. 

Treatment 

Some basic treatments to treat dry eyes include medication that can reduce eyelid inflammation corneal inflammation, tear-stimulating medications, and nasal sprays. These are the short-term treatments that can be prescribed in the initial stage. 

You can also use contact lenses. Other effective treatments include adding Omega 3 to your diet, castor oil eye drops, and acupuncture. These are known to reduce eye inflammation and improve the condition. 

Age-related Macular Degeneration 

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye illness that causes blurry central sight. It occurs when aging induces degeneration of the macula, which is the portion of the eye responsible for clear, straight-ahead visibility. 

The macula is a portion of the retina, the light receptor.  AMD is a widespread disorder and the major reason for diminished vision in elderly people.

Treatment 

Unfortunately, there's no medical treatment that can heal AMD completely; however, with medication, you can slow down the damage to the eyes. 

To prevent the damage, the doctor infuses anti-VEGF medicines into the cornea. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a blend of injectable and laser therapy.

Cataracts 

When you reach your mid-40s or early 50s, you are more likely to develop a common eye issue known as a cataract. 

The cataract blurs vision by making the lenses opaque, impeding your daily life cycle. You will have difficulty reading or driving. If not treated early, it may compromise your vision.

Treatment 

A common and generic treatment for cataracts is an open-eye surgery or laser surgery. Cataract treatment surgery consists of extracting the cloudy lens and substituting it with an unobstructed prosthetic lens. 

The synthetic lens, known as an intraocular lens, is placed in an identical position as your original lens.

Pterygium

Pterygium can develop in individuals who spend a lot of their time outside in direct sunlight without proper safety glasses. It is increasingly prevalent among senior persons (over the age limit of 80). 

Pterygium rarely develops in children. Pterygium affects approximately 12% of the global population.

Treatment 

If your eye is painful, use generic ocular lotions, lubricating (wetting) drops, synthetic tears, or corticosteroid drops. Administer steroid eye treatments or lotions to relieve discomfort, redness, itching, and inflammation.

Conclusion 

With the right treatment by an expert ophthalmologist, your eyes can remain in good health for a longer period of time. For optimal eye care, you must consider regular eye care and check-ups in case you face any kind of difficulties leading to poor eyesight. 

God Service Eye Clinic, a reputed eye care facility, holds more than 3 decades of experience in eye care, so you can trust us for your treatment and enjoy good vision for your lifetime.