LEHP - Age-Related Eye Diseases and Conditions

Age-Related
Eye Diseases and
Conditions
See Well for a Lifetime

Vision Changes
 You may notice vision changes
with aging.
 Many changes are common and can
often be corrected.
 As you get older, you are at higher risk
of age-related eye diseases and
conditions.
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL

Get Your Eyes Examined
 Everyone aged 50 or older should have
a comprehensive dilated eye exam.
 Your eye care professional can tell you
how frequently you need to have one.


What is a Comprehensive
Dilated Eye Exam?


The Dilated Eye


Eye Diseases and Conditions
 Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
 Cataract
 Diabetic eye disease
 Glaucoma
 Dry eye
 Low Vision

Age-Related Macular
Degeneration (AMD)
 What is it?
 Common among people aged 60 or older.
 Can damage the macula, which is needed for
sharp, detailed central vision.


AMD
 Who is at higher risk?
 The greatest risk factor is age.
 Other risk factors
 Smoking.
 Family history.
 Obesity.
 Race. Caucasians are more likely to lose
vision from AMD.


Age-Related Macular Degeneration
(AMD)

Normal vision Same scene as viewed by a
person with AMD


AMD
 Symptoms
 No pain.
 Blurred vision.
 Drusen (can only be seen
by an eye care professional).


AMD
 Treatment options
 Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS)
special vitamins/minerals supplement formulation.
 Laser surgery.
 Eye injections.
 Photodynamic therapy.


AMD
 What can you do?
 Eat a healthy diet
 Don’t smoke, or stop smoking
 Maintain normal blood pressure
 Maintain a healthy weight
 Exercise


Cataract
 What is it?
 Clouding of the eye’s lens that causes
loss of vision


Cataract
 Most cataracts are related to aging
 Other risk factors
 Diabetes
 Smoking
 Exposure to sunlight


Cataract

person with cataract

Cataract
 Symptoms
 Cloudy or blurred vision.
 Colors that may not appear as bright
as they once did.
 Glare.
 Poor night vision.


Cataract
 Glasses
 Better lighting
 Surgery


Cataract
 Eat a healthy diet.
 Wear sunglasses
and a brimmed hat
when outdoors.
 Don’t smoke.


Diabetic Eye Disease
 What is it?
 A group of eye problems associated with diabetes.
 Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision
loss and blindness.


 People with diabetes.
 The longer someone has diabetes, the more likely
it is he or she will get diabetic retinopathy.


Diabetic Retinopathy

person with diabetic retinopathy


 Symptoms
 No early warning signs or symptoms
 Early detection and timely treatment
can reduce the risk of vision loss.
 Laser treatment
 Surgery

 Control your ABCs -
A1C, blood pressure and cholesterol.
 Take your medications as directed.
 Maintain a healthy weight.
 Exercise.
 Don’t smoke.
 Have a dilated eye exam
at least once a year.

Glaucoma
 What is it?
 A group of eye diseases that can damage
the optic nerve in the eye.
 Glaucoma can develop in one or both eyes.
 Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most
common form.


Glaucoma
 Anyone can develop glaucoma.
 People with a family history of glaucoma.
 In the United States:
• African Americans over age 40.
• Everyone over the age of 60.


Glaucoma

person with glaucoma


Glaucoma
 Symptoms
 No early warning signs or symptoms
 No pain
 Loss of side vision
 Medications, usually eye drops
 Laser or conventional surgery


Glaucoma
 People at a higher risk should
get a comprehensive dilated
eye exam every one to two
years or as instructed by your
eye care professional.


Dry Eye
 What is it?
 The eye does not produce tears properly.
 Tears evaporate too quickly.
 Inflammation of the surface of the eye may occur
along with dry eye.


Dry Eye
 Women often experience dry eye more than men.
 Dry eye can occur at any age.
 Older adults frequently experience dryness
of the eyes.


Dry Eye
 Symptoms
 Stinging or burning of the eye.
 Feeling as if sand or grit is in the eye.
 Episodes of excess tears following
dry eye periods.
 A stringy discharge from the eye.
 Pain and redness of the eye.
 Episodes of blurred vision.

Dry Eye
 Symptoms (Continued)
 Heavy eyelids.
 Decreased tearing or inability to shed tears
when crying.
 Uncomfortable contact lenses.
 Decreased tolerance to any activity that requires
prolonged visual attention.
 Eye fatigue.


Dry Eye
 Using artificial tears, prescription eye drops,
gels, gel inserts, and ointments.
 Wearing glasses or sunglasses.
 Getting punctal plugs.


Dry Eye
 Use an air cleaner to filter dust
 Avoid dry conditions
 Use lubricating eye drops
 Visit an eye care professional


Low Vision
 What is it?
 A visual impairment that is not corrected by
standard eyeglasses, contact lenses, medication,
or surgery.
 It interferes with the ability to perform
everyday activities.


Low Vision
 People with eye disease.
 Some people develop vision loss after eye injuries
or from birth defects.


Low Vision
 Vision rehabilitation.
 See a specialist in low vision.
 Talk to your eye care
professional about vision
rehabilitation.
 Use low vision devices.

Clinical Trials
 Talk to your eye care professional about
participating in a clinical trial.
 To learn more about clinical trials,
visit www.nei.nih.gov


Review
 As you age, you are at higher risk
of age-related eye diseases and
conditions.
 Have a comprehensive dilated eye
exam to detect eye diseases in their
early stages.
 Questions?

Where To Get More Information
National Eye Institute (NEI)
 Visit the Aging Eye Web site:
www.nei.nih.gov/agingeye
 Or call NEI at 301-496-5248

Lions Clubs International
 Visit the Lions Clubs International Web site:
www.lionsclubs.org
 Or send an e-mail to: programs@lionsclubs.org


LEHP - Age-Related Eye Diseases and Conditions

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