Common eye problems in old age
- 1. The keepers of the house shall tremble The strong men shall bow themselves The grinders cease because they are few Those that look out of the windows be darkened -Solomon
- 2. Common Eye Problems In Old Age Dr. Madhurima K Nayak
- 3. Why is eyesight all-the-more- important in old age? Physical strength decreases Tend to read more New hobbies Slower reflexes
- 4. Myths Vision decreases with age and nothing can be done about it Cataract surgery is a major operation and old people are not fit for the same Cataract surgery should not be performed until it is fully ripe Medicines can melt cataract Cataract is the only cause of decreased vision in old age
- 5. 1. Near vision difficulty With age, there is normal decrease in ability to see minute objects Can be corrected with glasses
- 6. 2. Cataract Most common cause of reversible blindness Most commonly seen in old people Causes mainly visual symptoms Easily treated by surgical removal
- 7. 3. Glaucoma Damage to the nerve of the eye due to raised pressure within the eye. No symptoms until very late stages Decrease in field of vision Requires medical or surgical treatment
- 8. 4. Age related macular degeneration Degeneration of layers of retina due to age Initial presentation with distorted images and inability to read smaller print Not always reversible May lead to severe visual impairment
- 9. 5. Dry eye Not as sinister as others Stinging and burning sensation in the eye Can be relieved by medications
- 10. Others Diabetic retinopathy: Affects blood vessels of retina Increases with increase in duration of diabetes and poor control Retinal vascular occlusions: Occlusion of main artery or vein of retina leading to sudden loss of vision.
- 11. Eye and brain: Degenerative diseases and stroke can affect eyesight and field of vision Transient loss of vision: May precede stroke Sudden loss of vision for around a minute with full recovery Double vision: Sudden doubling of vision may be an indicator of serious neurological disorders.
- 12. Take home message Meet your ophthalmologist regularly and get your eyes checked, specially if you are a diabetic, hypertensive or have any heart disease Look out for symptoms like Narrowing of visual field Gradual loss of central vision Cloudy and blurred eyesight Blind spots in the field of vision Sudden loss of vision
- 13. Recommendations for eye testing Asymptomatic individuals or individuals without risk factors: (40 to 54 years): every 2 to 4 years. 55 to 64 years: 1 to 3 years 65 years old or older: every 1 to 2 years, even in the absence of symptoms (American Academy of Ophthalmology)
- 14. Have a healthy sight! Thank you Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. -Mark Twain Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing. -Oliver Wendell Holmes