The Most Common Vision Issues Caused By Aging

Eye health is severely undervalued. Most of us take our vision for granted, not realizing how fortunate we are to see the world clearly and without complication. Yet as soon as some issue occurs, we quickly realize how important and underappreciated good eyesight really is. Unfortunately, numerous vision issues may arise with age, causing inconveniences and discomforts, and robbing us of our visual clarity. But we’re dedicated to your ocular health and overall well-being.

For your optimal ocular outcome, please contact us today at Palm Beach Eye Center, so we can help quash future problems and protect your eyesight. We also welcome Palm Beach County residents for an in-person visit at our practices in Lake Worth or Delray Beach, FL.

What are some of the most common age-related vision issues?

Cataracts

Cataracts are possibly the most well-known of all age-related ocular conditions and begin forming in one’s 40s. Cataracts are formed from degraded proteins in the eye’s lens. When these proteins accumulate, they gravitate together and create cloudy spots that block your vision. With time, they grow larger and can even cause blindness. Cataracts are actually the leading cause of blindness globally.

Presbyopia

As with cataracts, presbyopia begins rearing its ugly head when one reaches their 40s. Also, like cataracts, this is a condition affecting the lens of the eye. As we age, the lens loses elasticity, and during one’s middle and later ages, this pronounced loss no longer allows the eye to properly focus light.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is known as “the silent thief of sight.” It progresses sneakily, possibly giving you no sign that anything is wrong until damage has been done. Glaucoma isn’t a single disorder but a suite of similar conditions that cause damage to the optic nerve: the link between the eye and brain. This detrimental aspect generally progresses gradually, as fluid buildup within the eye and improper draining cause pressure to build up. This progressively obstructs the vision, robbing you of your eyesight and eventually, if left untreated, leads to blindness.

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition afflicting individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar negatively impacts many body systems, as the excess circulating glucose damages various tissues. This includes those in the eye: the blood vessels that supply the retina. Diabetes management is crucial because the glucose-damaged, swollen blood vessels can leak into the retina, filling it with blood and fluids, and causing harmful swelling and pressure. As a result, you may notice blurring or other visual woes, including the formation of dark spots in your vision.

Dry eye disease

Another issue that may start popping up as the years pass is dry eye disease. This results in its namesake, dryness, and possibly irritation, redness, watery eyes, a feeling of something stuck in your eye, and general discomfort or potentially even pain. It’s due to faulty tear production, such as the inability to produce enough tears. Or, the tears may be inadequately formed and lacking in one of their vital components (water, oil, and mucus). So, the eyes become dry and may incur damage without the lubrication and protection afforded by healthy tears.

Get in touch with us today for a brighter, clearer visual future

If you fear that these problems may start emerging or have any concerns, please reach out to us at Palm Beach Eye Center. The sooner we detect any developing issues, the better your outcome is likely to be. So, save yourself the potential time, pain, and hassle of dealing with something more severe by scheduling a consultation today. We also invite Palm Beach residents to visit our practices in Lake Worth or Delray Beach, FL.