Even though minor vision loss is a natural part of the aging process, older adults should immediately seek out assistance if their vision suddenly becomes blurry. Blurry vision is a clear sign that it is time to head to the eye doctor for a complete checkup.
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 65, and this condition often starts with slightly blurry vision. When left untreated, AMD can result in complete blindness, and that is why you must seek out professional assistance as soon as you notice any problems with your eyesight. If you catch this issue early on, then your eye doctor might be able to reverse it with laser surgery. Some patients can also slow the rate of decay by taking certain blood medications.
This pervasive condition damages the optic nerve that is inside the eye, and it can eventually lead to total blindness if you don’t have it treated as quickly as possible. Glaucoma can occur at any age, but it is most common among the elderly. The most effective way to treat glaucoma is to take medications that reduce pressure in your eyes. Some of those medications are taken orally while others come as eye drops. For severe cases of glaucoma, an eye doctor might suggest a type of laser surgery that drains some of the fluid from the eyes.
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens, and it can happen for many different reasons. Some of the leading risk factors for cataracts include diabetes, smoking, hypertension, alcohol abuse, and exposure to UV radiation. To slow the rate of decay, an eye doctor might suggest switching over to new eyeglasses or investing in anti-glare sunglasses. If you want to reverse this condition, then you will need to undergo a unique cataract treatment in which the doctor replaces the cloudy lenses with artificial lenses.
Most people begin to notice the signs of presbyopia by the age of 40, but you might not experience this condition until you are much older if you made a habit of protecting your eyes. Presbyopia is nothing more than a form of farsightedness, and it is generally treated with eyeglasses or contact lenses. For a long-term solution to presbyopia, you might want to consider laser eye surgery.
One of the best ways to preserve your vision is to schedule regular checkups with an eye doctor. During those appointments, your eye doctor can screen you for all of the most common causes of vision loss.
Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure.