Making Your Eye Sight A Top Priority
Common eye ailments facing the “over 50” population

As the body ages, one of the first areas commonly affected is the eyes.  According to the doctors at The Eye Clinic of Texas, there are five eye problems that may be found in people over the age of 50 – presbyopia, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment. 

Presbyopia

After the age of 40, the eyes begin to naturally weaken.  People often have to hold reading materials at an arm’s length, even with glasses or contacts, in order to focus properly.  They might experience headaches or fatigue when performing “close-up” work, such as working on the computer.  This is the beginning of presbyopia, which is when the eye begins to lose its elasticity and can no longer accommodate a varied range of visual focal points.

“Presbyopia is caused entirely by the aging process; there’s no avoiding it,” said Bernard Milstein, M.D., ophthalmologist and founder of The Eye Clinic of Texas.  “It will occur to everyone at some point in their lives, even if they never had a vision problem before.” 

Presbyopia is often treated with bifocals or glasses with two focal lengths in each lens, one for near and one for distance.  For people who do not want to keep track of glasses or who are concerned about their appearance, monovision is another option.  Monovision corrects each eye individually, one eye for distance and one eye for near vision.  It can only be implemented through the use of contact lenses or through laser vision correction surgery.

Cataracts

Cataracts are a clouding of the natural lens of the eye, resulting in impaired vision.  Nearly 50 percent of the population has some form of a cataract by the age of 65 and nearly 100 percent of the population by the age of 75, although some cataracts never reach the stage where they need to be removed. 

“When the cataract begins interfering with vision to the point where it is difficult to perform everyday tasks or unsafe to drive a car, then surgery should be considered,” said Daniel Gold, M.D., ophthalmologist of The Eye Clinic of Texas.  “Nowadays, surgeons are using a safe, painless and effective procedure involving a small incision to treat cataracts with quick rehabilitation.”

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a progressive disease associated with excessive fluid build-up in the eye that causes pressure, vision impairment and potential blindness.  Sight lost to glaucoma can never be restored, but early diagnosis and treatment may ward off the potentially harmful effects of this important visual problem.

“There are usually no warning signs of the development of glaucoma until vision loss has occurred,” said Allan Fradkin, M.D., ophthalmologist of The Eye Clinic of Texas.  “That’s why it is so important for people to have regular eye exams.  Although it is not curable, eye doctors can diagnose and treat glaucoma before it results in nerve damage and vision loss.”

To treat glaucoma, doctors usually prescribe special eye drops to reduce the pressure in the eye.  If the drops fail, laser surgery or other forms of surgery can be the next step.

Diabetic retinopathy

Patients who have had diabetes for more than ten years may develop a condition that creates abnormalities in the retina, the membrane in the back of the eye that enables people to see.  Diabetic retinopathy can be checked by a simple eye examination that includes dilating the eye.  The problem can be treated easily and effectively with laser surgery.  “However, the best preventative treatment is good control of your diet,” Gold said.

Retinal detachment

Retinal detachment is a serious and sight-threatening condition that occurs when the retina becomes separated from its underlying supportive tissue.  The retina cannot function when these layers are detached, and permanent vision loss may result unless it is reattached quickly.  Retinal detachment can occur instantly as a result of an injury to the eye or face.  It can also occur over time, sometimes as a result of cataract surgery, a common procedure in people over the age of 60.  Common warning signs include seeing spots, flashes of light or a shadow coming down from the top of the eye or across from the side. 

“Retinal detachments are not visible from the outside of the eye; only a comprehensive eye exam can detect them,” Milstein said.  “And because there is no pain involved, a person may not realize that his or her vision is in jeopardy.  If any of the warning signs are detected, an ophthalmologist should be contacted immediately.”

While these ailments might sound alarming to the “over 50” population, it is important to note that most can be diagnosed and treated early through regular eye exams.  It is simply a matter of making eye care a top priority. 

For more information on any of these ailments, contact The Eye Clinic of Texas at (281) 332-3937.

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