What difficulty can affect older adult vision in which there is a progressive thickening of the lens?
Vision changes occur as you get older, but these changes don't have to affect your lifestyle. Knowing what to expect and when to seek professional care can help you safeguard your vision. As you reach your 60s and beyond, you need to be aware of the warning signs of age-related eye health problems that could cause vision loss. Show
Many eye diseases have no early symptoms. They may develop painlessly, and you may not notice the changes to your vision until the condition is quite advanced. Wise lifestyle choices, regular eye exams and early detection of disease can significantly improve your chances of maintaining good eye health and vision as you age. You may not realize that health problems affecting other parts of your body can affect your vision as well. People with diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure), or who are taking medications that have eye-related side effects, are at greatest risk for developing vision problems. Regular eye exams are even more important as you reach your senior years. The American Optometric Association recommends annual eye examinations for everyone over age 60. See your doctor of optometry immediately if you notice any changes in your vision. Age-related eye and vision changes and problemsIn the years after you turn 60, a number of eye diseases may develop that can change your vision permanently. The earlier these problems are detected and treated, the more likely you can retain good vision. The following are some vision disorders to be aware of:
Driving safely after 60If you are 60 or older, driving a car may be increasingly difficult. Age-related vision changes and eye diseases can negatively affect your driving abilities, even before you are aware of symptoms. Some age-related vision changes that commonly affect seniors' driving are:
These tips can help you stay safe when driving, especially at night:
Dealing with vision lossUnfortunately, some people over 60 lose sight beyond the normal, age-related vision changes. Macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy are among the eye health conditions that can lead to permanent vision loss in varying degrees and forms. Visual acuity alone is not a good predictor of a person's degree of visual difficulty. Someone with relatively good acuity (e.g., 20/40) can have difficulty functioning, while someone with worse acuity (e.g., 20/100) might not experience any significant functional problems. Other visual factors, such as poor depth perception, limited side vision, extreme sensitivity to lights and glare, and reduced color perception, can also limit a person's ability to do everyday tasks. Low-vision rehabilitative services can provide people with the help and resources they need to regain their independence. These services can teach people with low vision a variety of techniques that allow them to perform daily activities with their remaining vision. A doctor of optometry can help plan a rehabilitation program so that you can live an independent life within your condition's limitations. A wide variety of rehabilitation options are available to help people with low vision live and work more effectively, efficiently and safely. Most people benefit from one or more low-vision treatment options. The more commonly prescribed devices are:
In addition, numerous other products can assist those with a vision impairment, such as large-type books, magazines, and newspapers; books on tape; talking wristwatches; self-threading needles; and more. Talk with a doctor of optometry to learn more about available options. Find a Doctor of Optometry Which conditions can affect the vision of an elderly person?The most common causes of vision loss among the elderly are age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy. Age-related macular degeneration is characterized by the loss of central vision.
What is the most common vision problem in the elderly?1. Macular Degeneration – Also called age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, this is the leading cause of blindness among older people. It gradually damages sharp, central vision, which is necessary for daily tasks such as reading and driving.
What is the most common visual impairment in late adulthood?The major eye diseases among people aged 40 years and older are cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. These diseases are often asymptomatic in the early treatable stages.
What are the effects of aging on the eye and the sense of vision?The eye muscles become less able to fully rotate the eye. As you age, the sharpness of your vision (visual acuity) gradually declines. The most common problem is difficulty focusing the eyes on close-up objects. This condition is called presbyopia.
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