VandAToolkit_Mod2_Powerpoint_508.pdf

Vision Changes
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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.

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?

Eye Diseases and Conditions
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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.

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•
•
•
•
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.
(continued from previous slide)

Age-Related Macular
Degeneration (AMD)
Normal vision Same scene as viewed by a
person with AMD

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

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

AMD



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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.

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•
•
•
Most cataract are related to aging
Other risk factors
Diabetes
Smoking
Exposure to sunlight

Cataract
person with cataract

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


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Treatment options
Glasses
Better lighting
Surgery

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Cataract
What can you do?
Eat a healthy diet.
Wear sunglasses and a brimmed hat
when outdoors.
Don’t smoke.

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


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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

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

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What can you do?
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.


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African Americans over age 40.
Everyone over the age of 60, especially
Mexican Americans.
People with a family history of glaucoma.

Glaucoma
person with glaucoma

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

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

Dry Eye
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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.


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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

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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.


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Symptoms
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.

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

Dry Eye

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What can you do?
Use an air cleaner to filter dust
Avoid dry conditions
Use lubricating eye drops
Visit an eye care professional

Low Vision

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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.

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

Low Vision

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Treatment options
Vision rehabilitation.
What can you do?
See a specialist in low vision.
Talk to your eye care professional about
vision rehabilitation.
Use low vision devices.

Clinical Trials

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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)
For more information, visit
www.nei.nih.gov/agingeye
Or call NEI at 301-496-5248

VandAToolkit_Mod2_Powerpoint_508.pdf

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