Aging & Visual Health

SPOT PROBLEMS EARLY!

Since visual problems are increasingly common with age – and often preventable – it is important to be regularly checked by an eye care specialist (optometrist or ophthalmologist). He/she will check your vision and eye fluid pressure, and get a good look at the outside (cornea) and inside (retina) of your eyes.

PROTECT YOUR PRECIOUS EYES!

• Wear sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat.
• See your doctor regularly to check for diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure; both can cause visual problems if not treated.

RED FLAGS FOR SEEING AN EYE CARE SPECIALIST RIGHT AWAY:

• Blurring or loss of vision
• Double vision
• Flashing of light
• Pain in your eye(s)

EYE DISORDERS & DISEASES:

The following conditions may have few or no early symptoms, but may, if left untreated, lead to vision loss or blindness. Regular eye exams are key! A few common conditions:

• Cataracts (cloudy areas which may cause blurred or hazy vision)
• Corneal diseases (from scratches to infection; may lead to halo effect in vision)
• Dry eye(s) (when tear glands don’t work well)
• Glaucoma (elevated eye chamber pressure)
• Retinal disorders (such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy)

TIPS FOR LOW VISION

(a common problem among the elderly):

If glasses, medicine, and/or surgery won’t help, consider these tips:

• Upgrade lighting
• Use large print materials
• Use magnifying aids or audio tapes, etc.

HELPFUL RESOURCE

National Eye Institute Hotline: 1-301-496-5248

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