Problems with Aging Eyes

Are you having trouble reading street signs, or small print? Are you holding your newspaper further away from your eyes to prevent eye strain? It's important for people over the age of fifty to have a dilated eye exam once a year.

Cloudiness of the eye lens is called a cataract. . Things look blurry and out of focus. If you notice your vision is blurred, glare and sunlight bother you, and you're experiencing double vision, you need to be evaluated by an eye care professional immediately. Cataracts can stay small, and never bother you, or if they become too large, they may have to be surgically removed.

As we age, the tear glands cannot produce enough tears, and as a result eyes can be dry. This dryness causes itching, burning, and in serious cases, surgery may be needed. Eye drops prescribed by your doctor can keep the eye moist.

If you've ever woke up and your eyes feel sticky and hard to open, you may have conjunctivitis, more commonly known as "pink eye." The eye will be dry and red, and feel gritty, like there is something in your eye. Allergies can also cause "pink eye."

For diabetics, preventative eye care is even more important, and complications start at an earlier age. Two of the most serious eye complications for diabetics are glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.

Glaucoma causes an abnormally high pressure in your eye, and is the second leading cause of blindness. The disease can steal your eyesight gradually, with the first symptom being a loss of vision. Eye pain can be so severe that it causes nausea and vomiting, reddening of the eyes, and halos around lights.

Diabetic retinopathy can sneak up on you without warning. Seeing blood or spots floating in your vision is one of the first signs of this disease, and is a warning that you need to see your doctor immediately. Serious bleeding can cause hemorrhages that may happen more than once, and can even occur while you're sleeping.

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness and loss of vision in people over 65. The part of the retina responsible for giving us clear, sharp vision is called the macula. When the macula degenerates, we can't see as well to drive, and anything we read looks blurry.

As we age, it's even more important to get that once a year preventative checkup. You can't put a price on good eyesight.