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There are several eye problems that are more common among people as they
age, although they can affect anyone at any age. They include:
Presbyopia: This is the loss of the ability to
clearly see close objects or small print. It is a normal process that happens
slowly over a lifetime, but you may not notice any change until after age 40.
Presbyopia is often corrected with reading glasses.
Floaters: These are tiny spots or specks that float
across the field of vision. Most people notice them in well-lit rooms or
outdoors on a bright day. Floaters often are normal, but can sometimes
indicate a more serious eye problem, such as retinal detachment, especially if
they are accompanied by light flashes. If you notice a sudden change in the
type or number of spots or flashes you see, visit your eye doctor as soon as
possible.
Dry eyes: This happens when tear glands cannot make
enough tears or produce poor quality tears. Dry eyes can be uncomfortable,
causing itching, burning, or rarely some loss of vision. Your eye doctor may
suggest using a humidifier in your home or special eye drops that simulate
real tears. Surgery may be needed in more serious cases of dry eyes.
Tearing: Having too many tears can come from being
sensitive to light, wind, or temperature changes. Protecting your eyes by
shielding them or wearing sunglasses can sometimes solve the problem. Tearing
may also mean that you have a more serious problem, such as an eye infection
or a blocked tear duct. Your eye doctor can treat or correct both of these
conditions.
Cataracts: Cataracts are cloudy areas that cover
part of or the entire lens. Since a healthy eye lens is clear like a camera
lens, light has no problem passing through the lens to the back of the eye to
the retina where images are processed. When a cataract is present, the light
cannot get through the lens as easily and, as a result, vision can be
impaired. Cataracts often form slowly, causing no pain, redness or tearing in
the eye. Some stay small and do not alter eyesight. If they become large or
thick, cataracts can usually be removed by surgery.
Glaucoma: This condition develops when there is too
much fluid pressure inside the eye. It occurs when the normal flow of the
watery fluid between the cornea and the lens of the eye is blocked. If not
treated early, this can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness. Glaucoma
is less commonly caused by other factors such as injury to the eye, severe eye
infection, blockage of blood vessels, inflammatory disorders of the eye.
Because most people with glaucoma have no early symptoms or pain, it is very
important to get your eyes checked by an eye doctor regularly. Treatment may
include prescription eye drops, oral medications, or surgery.
Retinal disorders: The retina is a thin lining on
the back of the eye made up of cells that collect visual images and pass them
on to the brain. Retinal disorders interrupt this transfer of images. They
include age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal
detachment. Early diagnosis and treatment of these conditions is important to
maintain vision.
Conjunctivitis: This is a condition in which the
tissue that lines the eyelids and covers the cornea becomes inflamed. It is
sometimes called "pink eye" or "red eye." It can cause
redness, itching, burning, tearing or a feeling of something in the eye.
Conjunctivitis occurs in people of all ages and can be caused by infection,
exposure to chemicals and irritants, or allergies.
Corneal diseases: The cornea is the clear,
dome-shaped "window" at the front of the eye. It helps to focus
light that enters the eye. Disease, infection, injury, and exposure to toxic
agents can damage the cornea causing eye redness, watery eyes, pain, reduced
vision, or a halo effect. Treatments include making adjustments to the
eyeglass prescription, using medicated eye drops, or having surgery.
Eyelid problems: The eyelids protect the eye,
distribute tears, and limit the amount of light entering the eye. Pain,
itching, tearing, and sensitivity to light are common symptoms of eyelid
problems. Other problems may include drooping eyelids, blinking spasms, or
inflamed outer edges of the eyelids near the eyelashes. Eyelid problems often
can be treated with medication or surgery.
Temporal arteritis: This condition causes the
arteries in the temple area of the forehead to swell. It can begin with a
severe headache, pain when chewing, and tenderness in the temple area. It may
be followed in a few weeks by sudden vision loss. Other symptoms can include
shaking, weight loss, and low-grade fever. Scientists don’t know the cause
of temporal arteritis but they think it may be caused by an impaired immune
system. Early treatment with medication can help prevent vision loss in one or
both eyes.
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