Vision Problems Common With Aging

The older you get, the more likely you are to have eye problems.

Getting a good handle on diseases that affect the "windows to the soul" can reduce the chance that you'll miss an important signal about the health of your eyes.

A new campaign by Health Canada and the Ottawa Eye Institute clears up misconceptions about eye disease.

Although aimed at the older set and their caregivers, the campaign will hopefully open the younger generation's eyes about the importance of early vision care, adds Jackson.

For instance, the "clear facts" about cataracts -- a normal part of aging that can result in blurry eyesight and a sensitivity to light -- explain that outpatient surgery can easily remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear, artificial one. A cataract is NOT a tumor or cancer, or skin growth over the eye. It's simply a clouding of the clear lens, which yellows and blocks some of the light passing through it. Wearing sunglasses to protect against ultraviolet light is one way to reduce the risk of cataracts and other eye woes.

Age-related macular degeneration is another top concern, affecting up to half of people over 50. Chronic sunlight exposure and poor nutrition may contribute to macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of vision loss in the western world. The disease affects the macula, a small spot near the back of the eye that sends images to the brain. As the macula deteriorates with age, vision becomes blurry, a person may see distorted or wavy lines, there can be a loss of detail of what's seen, and difficulty in distinguishing colors. Exciting new research out of Vancouver involves the use of photodynamic therapy -- a light machine used on a patient taking special drugs -- in treating macular degeneration.

Perhaps the most easily diagnosed and treated disease is glaucoma, which carries a high chance of blindness if not treated early. Many people with glaucoma -- or excess pressure in the eyeballs -- have no symptoms until they have severe eye damage. Annual eye examinations are necessary; how important is your vision in retirement?

The information provided in this article and elsewhere on this website are for informational purposes only, and should NOT be considered a medical diagnosis or advice. When in doubt, please visit your local optometrist for a complete professional evaluation.