Dr. Eboni Green
February 12, 2025
Our risk of developing various eye issues increases as we get older. Fortunately, many of these eye conditions can be treated through routine procedures or simply by getting prescription glasses. However, it’s important to look out for signs of an eye problem early so that you can get it treated in good time. Below are some of the common eye conditions that people experience as they get older.
Presbyopia is the inability to focus on objects that are close. Sadly, everyone experiences this as they get older – it usually starts once we reach our 40s and gets worse into our 60s. If you’re having to read books under direct light or having to hold your phone away from you to read it, it could be a sign that you’re experiencing presbyopia. As annoying as this condition is, it has a simple remedy – which is to have an eye exam and a pair of reading glasses. By getting a vision test, you can work out your prescription and then order a pair of glasses with the correct prescription.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that blurs a person’s central vision. You have a greater chance of developing as you get older. If you notice things starting to get blurry or distorted in the center of your vision, you may be experiencing AMD. As this gets worse, you may start to feel you are hallucinating or unable to recognize faces and may eventually lose all central vision. There are two different types of AMD: dry and wet AMD. Depending on the type of AMD and severity, there are various treatments you can explore including medication, photodynamic therapy and vision aids (by getting a professional eye test you can diagnose the problem and identify the right treatment).
Cataracts are a condition caused by proteins in the eye’s lens breaking down. They can result in cloudy vision and difficulty seeing clearly at night, which can eventually progress into total blindness if not treated. 1 in 5 people over 65 experience cataracts. Getting cataract surgery is often necessary – this is a routine procedure with a high rate of success, but it’s essential that you don’t delay treatment too long. As with other eye conditions, an eye test can help to officially diagnose cataracts.
Glaucoma is a condition caused by fluid buildup around the eye, which can cause damage to the optic nerve. It typically develops over a long period – leading to blurry vision and eventually blindness if not treated. In rarer cases, it can come on suddenly and be accompanied by intense eye pain. Once glaucoma starts to cause damage to your eyes, the damage cannot be undone. However, you can stop it from progressing by getting medicine or surgery. This is why it’s important to see an eye doctor as soon as you notice symptoms.
Styes and chalazion are small lumps that form on the eyelids. They can develop at any age but can become more common in older age. Styes usually occur where the eyelashes are and can be quite painful, whereas chalazion appear further back on the eyelid and usually cause no pain. It is possible to get styes and chalazion removed surgically, however they can often be treated at home using a warm compress and antibiotic ointment.
As you can see as we age there is an increased risk for vision changes. It is important to have a regular check up with your optometrist.
