Rites of SightYour Second 50 years

A Presentation of the American Optometric

Association

Vision changes occur naturally with

age.

Common Vision ChangesMany adults find that “their arms

aren’t long enough”Loss of clarity when reading, doing

close work, or drivingSensitivity to lightMore time required to adjust to

different light conditions

Benjamin Franklin, famous inventor & presbyope

Although not anoptometrist, he iscredited withinventing bifocals.

PresbyopiaNatural age-related eye condition By teen age, the eye stops

growing, but cells in the flexible lens of the eye haven’t stopped growing, and this continued growth makes the lens less flexible

The lens loses the ability to change focus

Most changes can be treated by your Optometrist

Reading glassesBifocalsTrifocalsProgressive addition

lenses

Photo courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

Astigmatism

Light rays fail to meet in a focal point which results in blurred vision

Hyperopia

Also referred to as farsightedness

Ability to see DISTANT objects more clearly than near objects

Myopia

Also referred to as nearsightedness

Ability to see NEAR objects more clearly than distant objects

Photo courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

Spots & FloatersHarmless protein materials

floating in inner fluid eyeNot serious, but if they appear

larger, or as showers of brilliant crystal…

May be beginning of serious eye problem such as retinal detachment or high blood pressure or diabetes

Age-Related Eye Diseases

Cataracts

Cells in lens swell and cloud lens preventing light to reach retina

Glasses and contact lenses can improve vision temporarily until surgery is required

Photo courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

Photo courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

Surgery removes clouded lens, replaces with artificial lens

Medicare covers surgery and follow-up care

Diabetic Retinopathy Can weaken, and cause changes in the

small blood vessels that nourish the retina, the delicate, light sensitive lining of the back of eye. Blood vessels may begin to leak, swell or develop branches of new vessels.

Early stages may cause blurred vision, or may produce no visual symptoms at all. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include cloudiness of vision, blind spots or floaters.

Diabetic Retinopathy If left untreated, can cause blindness.

Once damage has occurred, the effects are usually permanent.

For people with diabetes, diabetic retinopathy is controllable by taking prescribed medication as instructed, sticking to a diet, exercising regularly, reducing high blood pressure and avoiding alcohol and smoking.

Glaucoma

Fluid pressure in eye increases or does not drain properly, results in pressure on the optic nerve

No early warning signs

Photo courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

Blindness can occur if left untreated

Vision loss cannot be restored

Ocular Hypertension Increase in pressure in eyes with no

detectable changes in vision or damage to eyes

Term used to distinguish people with elevated pressure from those with glaucoma

Occurs most frequently in those over age 40, African Americans, and those with family histories of ocular hypertension and/or glaucoma as well as in those with diabetes

Ocular Hypertension No noticeable signs or symptoms Not all people with ocular hypertension

will develop glaucoma. However, there is an increased risk of glaucoma among those with ocular hypertension

No cure for ocular hypertension, however, careful monitoring and treatment can decrease the risk of damage to eyes

Macular Degeneration Leading cause of blindness in U.S.Affects the macula, the area of eye

responsible for clear, sharp vision, located at back of eye

Symptoms include: gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly, distorted vision, and gradual loss of color vision

As disease advances, distorted, dark, or empty area often appears in the center of vision

Macular Degeneration Two kinds:

WET- swelling of macula, treatable with anti-inflammatory drugs

DRY- age-related degeneration, not treatable, but certain vitamins and minerals may help prevent or slow progression

Photo courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

Vision loss cannot be restored

Low vision devices can be prescribed to make the most out of remaining vision

IMPORTANT!After age 60an annual,comprehensive

eyeexamination is animportant way tomaintain eye

health.

Benefits of Regular Eye Exams

Eye problems and early stages of other diseases can be detected during a comprehensive eye exam.

Early detection is the key to preventing irreversible vision loss.