Vision at age 60 and Beyond - Dr. Terry Tucker OD

Vision changes occur as you age.  These changes do not have to compromise your vision or lifestyle.  Knowing what to expect and seeking routine vision examinations will help insure continued good vision.

As you age and reach your 60’s and beyond,  you need to be more attentive to the warning signs of age-related vision problems that can rob you of your sight.  Many eye diseases or vision problems have not signs or symptoms to give you a warning of present or future vision problems.  They can be painless and you will not know you have a problem until it may be advanced enough that it is difficult to treat and manage.   This is why regular vision examinations are important to detect problems while they are easier to treat.

Systemic health problems can also cause problems with your vision also.  Diabetic condition, hypertension (high blood pressure), and taking some medications that have ocular side effects, are at greatest risk for eye problems.

Regular eye examinations are even more important in these individuals.  The American Optometric Association recommends annual eye examinations for everyone over 60 years old.

At age 60 and beyond, 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 vision disorders that you should be aware of:

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease affecting the macula, the center of the light sensitive retina at the back of the eye.  This your central vision where your vision is the clearest.  This is a very small area that allows you to see small detail and colors.  Activities like driving, reading, watching TV and recognizing faces all require good central vision provided by the macula.  Macular degeneration causes changes in central vision, but not the periphery.

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition occurring in people with diabetes. Progressive damage to the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina can cause this problem.  The blood vessels leek blood and other fluids that cause the retina tissue to swell and cloud vision. This condition can cause blindness.

Retinal detachment is the tearing of the retina or separation of the retina from the underlying tissue.  Trauma to the head or body can cause this, along with advanced diabetes and other ocular diseases.  This condition can cause permanent loss of vision.

Yearly vision examinations are one of the beat ways to protect your vision.  Get your eyes examined by your Optometrist.

 

Dr. Terry Tucker OD

Tucker Vision Center
Bayshore Medical Plaza
88 Pine Island Rd. #3
North Fort Myers, FL 33903

Phone: 239-656-1778