rites of sight your second 50 years
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Rites of Sight Your Second 50 years. A Presentation of the American Optometric Association. Vision changes occur naturally with age. Many adults find that “their arms aren’t long enough” Loss of clarity when reading, doing close work, or driving Sensitivity to light - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Rites of SightYour Second 50 years
A Presentation of the American Optometric
Association
Vision changes occur naturally with
age.
Common Vision ChangesMany adults find that “their arms
aren’t long enough”Loss of clarity when reading, doing
close work, or drivingSensitivity to lightMore time required to adjust to
different light conditions
Benjamin Franklin, famous inventor & presbyope
Although not anoptometrist, he iscredited withinventing bifocals.
PresbyopiaNatural age-related eye condition By teen age, the eye stops
growing, but cells in the flexible lens of the eye haven’t stopped growing, and this continued growth makes the lens less flexible
The lens loses the ability to change focus
Most changes can be treated by your Optometrist
Reading glassesBifocalsTrifocalsProgressive addition
lenses
Photo courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
Astigmatism
Light rays fail to meet in a focal point which results in blurred vision
Hyperopia
Also referred to as farsightedness
Ability to see DISTANT objects more clearly than near objects
Myopia
Also referred to as nearsightedness
Ability to see NEAR objects more clearly than distant objects
Photo courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
Spots & FloatersHarmless protein materials
floating in inner fluid eyeNot serious, but if they appear
larger, or as showers of brilliant crystal…
May be beginning of serious eye problem such as retinal detachment or high blood pressure or diabetes
Age-Related Eye Diseases
Cataracts
Cells in lens swell and cloud lens preventing light to reach retina
Glasses and contact lenses can improve vision temporarily until surgery is required
Photo courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
Photo courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
Surgery removes clouded lens, replaces with artificial lens
Medicare covers surgery and follow-up care
Diabetic Retinopathy Can weaken, and cause changes in the
small blood vessels that nourish the retina, the delicate, light sensitive lining of the back of eye. Blood vessels may begin to leak, swell or develop branches of new vessels.
Early stages may cause blurred vision, or may produce no visual symptoms at all. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include cloudiness of vision, blind spots or floaters.
Diabetic Retinopathy If left untreated, can cause blindness.
Once damage has occurred, the effects are usually permanent.
For people with diabetes, diabetic retinopathy is controllable by taking prescribed medication as instructed, sticking to a diet, exercising regularly, reducing high blood pressure and avoiding alcohol and smoking.
Glaucoma
Fluid pressure in eye increases or does not drain properly, results in pressure on the optic nerve
No early warning signs
Photo courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
Blindness can occur if left untreated
Vision loss cannot be restored
Ocular Hypertension Increase in pressure in eyes with no
detectable changes in vision or damage to eyes
Term used to distinguish people with elevated pressure from those with glaucoma
Occurs most frequently in those over age 40, African Americans, and those with family histories of ocular hypertension and/or glaucoma as well as in those with diabetes
Ocular Hypertension No noticeable signs or symptoms Not all people with ocular hypertension
will develop glaucoma. However, there is an increased risk of glaucoma among those with ocular hypertension
No cure for ocular hypertension, however, careful monitoring and treatment can decrease the risk of damage to eyes
Macular Degeneration Leading cause of blindness in U.S.Affects the macula, the area of eye
responsible for clear, sharp vision, located at back of eye
Symptoms include: gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly, distorted vision, and gradual loss of color vision
As disease advances, distorted, dark, or empty area often appears in the center of vision
Macular Degeneration Two kinds:
WET- swelling of macula, treatable with anti-inflammatory drugs
DRY- age-related degeneration, not treatable, but certain vitamins and minerals may help prevent or slow progression
Photo courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
Vision loss cannot be restored
Low vision devices can be prescribed to make the most out of remaining vision
IMPORTANT!After age 60an annual,comprehensive
eyeexamination is animportant way tomaintain eye
health.
Benefits of Regular Eye Exams
Eye problems and early stages of other diseases can be detected during a comprehensive eye exam.
Early detection is the key to preventing irreversible vision loss.