Your visual capacity may change as a result of the aging process. To spread awareness, your trusted eye doctor from Opti-Care discusses some common vision problems that you may experience in your golden years:
Cataracts
Cataracts are currently the leading cause of blindness among older individuals. Cataracts develop when your eye tissues and protein components start to break down, causing protein fragments to be deposited on your lenses’ surface. This inhibits light from entering your eyes, resulting in hazy or cloudy eyesight. We may advise having them removed through surgery to ensure better visual clarity.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye syndrome is another concern for adults, particularly among postmenopausal women. You may complain of red, itchy, and watery eyes when you have this problem. You may also feel a burning or gritty sensation, similar to when something is stuck in your eyes. Fortunately, we have a wide range of effective dry eye treatments to help improve your eye health and comfort. We may prescribe cyclosporines or omega-3 essential fatty acid supplements to reduce the inflammation in your eyes.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
As you age, your macula may begin to deteriorate, compromising your central vision. This makes it difficult for you to see objects directly in front of you. While this condition does not have a cure yet, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and having regular eye exams can help delay its progression.
Presbyopia
Lens rigidity is another problem you may encounter as you age. This may reduce your lenses’ accommodation functions, impairing your close-range vision. We can prescribe bifocals or custom reading eyeglasses to correct your eyesight.
For more information about common age-related vision problems, call us at (410) 600-3173. We serve Westminster, MD, and the surrounding communities.