According to estimates from the World Health Organization, around 1.3 billion people worldwide live with some form of visual impairment, and 276 million are completely blind. Most individuals with vision problems are over the age of 40. Learn about the most common age-related eye diseases and whether they can be prevented.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a price many pay for aging. Most cataracts are caused by natural changes in the eyes as we grow older. When we are young, the lens in our eye is clear and transparent. Around the age of 40, proteins in the lens begin to break down and clump together. This results in a cloudy area on the lens, known as a cataract.
In the early stages of the disease, cataracts may not show any symptoms. However, as the clumps of proteins grow, vision becomes blurry, colors appear faded, night vision deteriorates, and lights, including sunlight, may seem overly bright.
The risk of developing cataracts increases not only with age but also due to certain health issues, such as diabetes. This condition can also affect younger individuals who smoke, abuse alcohol, have a family history of cataracts, have experienced eye trauma or surgery, or spend a lot of time in the sun. To protect your eyes and delay the onset of this disease, consider taking the following steps:
- Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to shield your eyes from the sun;
- Avoid smoking;
- Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens like spinach, lettuce, and kale;
- Have an annual eye exam with an ophthalmologist after age 40.
Surgery is the only way to eliminate cataracts, but it may not be necessary to undergo the procedure immediately after diagnosis. In the early stages, individuals can make small adjustments to cope with their cataracts: use brighter lighting at home or work, wear sunglasses with anti-glare coatings, and utilize glasses with special lenses for reading and other activities.
If cataracts begin to interfere with daily activities such as reading, driving, or watching television, surgery becomes necessary. The surgeon will remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a new artificial lens. This procedure is safe, and 9 out of 10 people who undergo it report improved vision.
Macular Degeneration
The macula, a tiny area near the center of the light-sensitive retina, helps create a clear image, allowing you to read fine print and recognize faces. Progressive damage to the macula impairs central vision while peripheral vision remains intact. After age 50, this condition is referred to as “age-related macular degeneration” (AMD).
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in individuals aged 50 and older. As this condition develops, many people see objects as blurry or may notice empty spots, and straight lines may appear wavy. This can be a warning sign of late-stage AMD.
A combination of factors, including family history, smoking, and exposure to ultraviolet rays, plays a significant role in the development of macular degeneration.
Research shows that the risk of developing macular degeneration (or slowing its progression) can be reduced by making healthy choices:
- Avoid smoking;
- Engage in regular physical activity;
- Maintain a healthy weight;
- Keep blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels in check;
- Eat a nutritious diet, including leafy green vegetables and fish;
- Wear UV-protective sunglasses.
Currently, there is no treatment for early-stage AMD, so regular monitoring by an eye doctor is essential.
If diagnosed with intermediate or late-stage AMD, slowing its progression can be aided by supplements high in antioxidant vitamins and minerals.
The late stage of the disease is known as “wet” or neovascular AMD, where blood vessels grow in the retina, leaking blood into the macula. This can lead to vision loss within weeks or months.
There are medications that a doctor can inject into the eye to halt this process. Laser therapy may also improve vision in the late stages of the disease. However, wet AMD is a leading cause of vision loss worldwide for individuals over 50.
Mysterious Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can lead to vision loss and blindness due to damage to the optic nerve. Previously, doctors believed that high intraocular pressure (ocular hypertension) was the primary factor responsible for optic nerve damage. However, some individuals with elevated pressure never develop glaucoma, while many people with glaucoma have never experienced ocular hypertension…
The true causes of glaucoma are still being studied. Some researchers consider glaucoma to be less of an eye disease and more of a neurological disorder related to nerve cells in the brain that degenerate and die, similar to what occurs in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Individuals over 60 years old, especially those with a family history of the disease, are at higher risk for glaucoma. The disease begins with the loss of peripheral vision, which people often do not notice right away. They typically seek medical attention only when central vision is affected.
Glaucoma cannot be prevented. Therefore, to allow a doctor to detect the disease before significant vision loss occurs, regular eye examinations are crucial. Without treatment, glaucoma can lead to blindness.
The primary treatment focuses on lowering intraocular pressure (if it is elevated!). The most common early treatment involves eye drops to reduce pressure. Surgical procedures may also be performed to improve fluid drainage in the eye.
However, modern research is aimed at studying the damage to nerve cells that connect the eyes to the brain. Clinical trials are already underway for medications that slow the death of these cells and protect healthy neurons.
If you are at risk due to age, family history, or other factors, it is important to have regular eye exams. Many eye diseases often show no symptoms in the early stages, and late-stage conditions can lead to blindness!