Clear Vision, Well Into The Future

1 in 9 Canadians develop irreversible vision loss by the age of 65. That number increases to 1 in 7 by the age of 75.

Vision loss has a negative impact on seniors’ quality of life. Compared to people of the same age, seniors with vision loss have 4 times as many hip fractures, are 3 times more likely to struggle with depression, and experience twice the number of falls.

It’s important to keep your vision healthy to maintain your quality of life. Book your eye exam today!

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Are Aging Eyes At Risk?

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends that patients over the age of 65 have an annual eye exam.

Regular, comprehensive eye exams can help diagnose and treat age-related eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. These make up the 4 most common diseases that lead to blindness in older adults.

Many of these diseases progress slowly and have very few symptoms if any at all. Having an optometrist assess your changing vision needs as you age can set your mind at ease.

Cataracts

Cataracts develop slowly over time and often without pain. They’re most common in people over the age of 60 and are the leading cause of blindness in Canada.

Cataracts occur when the eye’s lens gets cloudy and hardens. As we age, the proteins in the lens naturally break down. If these proteins clump together, they create an opaque region called a cataract.

Genetic disorders can increase your risk of cataracts, as can an eye injury or surgery. Steroid medication users and people with diabetes are also at a higher risk of developing cataracts.

Symptoms

Symptoms of cataracts might include:

Seeing dull or muted colours
Decreased night vision
Feeling as though there is a film over your eye
Light sensitivity
Halos appearing around light

Treatment

Cataracts are treatable. It is possible to manage cataracts with glasses or contact lenses, but you might require surgery if they are too advanced.

Cataract surgery removes the clouded lens and replaces it with an artificial lens. The procedure is safe and effective, but as with any surgery, risks and outcomes should be discussed with your optometrist.

If we determine that surgery is the best way to manage your cataracts, you can be sure we will help manage your post-operative care.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Seniors are at risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is one of the leading causes of blindness in people over 55. The disease causes your central vision to blur by impacting your macula.

The macula is the area of the retina responsible for central vision, which gives you the ability to perform close-up tasks like reading and recognizing faces. Not only does AMD interfere with central vision, but it can also make straight lines look wavy and might render you unable to drive.

There are 2 common types of AMD:

Dry AMD

Dry AMD occurs when deposits called drusen develop around the macula, causing it to break down. Dry AMD is the most common form of age-related macular degeneration. It can be diagnosed by observing your macula during a comprehensive eye exam.

Wet AMD

Wet AMD is less common than dry AMD, but it is a medical emergency. It happens when blood vessels in the retina bleed or leak fluid into the eye. Wet AMD leads to permanent vision loss in many cases.

The majority of vision loss from AMD is caused by wet AMD. It accounts for 10% of the cases of overall AMD but 90% of blindness caused by AMD. It is always preceded by dry AMD, so it is imperative to have an optometrist assess your ocular health regularly , particularly if you have dry AMD.