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Proper eye care is important as people age

Eyes change throughout life. At birth, babies’ eyes are not fully developed so it takes time for them to see as well as older children and adults. In adulthood, changes continue.

But these changes don’t have to negatively impact your lifestyle. With proper care and regular eye exams, the chances of catching problems early increases.

Early and often care

Consider the following:

* Regular eye exams. For adults over age 65, the recommendation is a yearly, dilated eye exam. This allows opthamologists and optometrists to find common problems that have no early signs or symptoms. The dilated eye exam is also a good time for those who wear glasses or contacts to have the prescription checked.

* Manage chronic health conditions. Diabetes and high blood pressure can impact eye health. Keeping these conditions under control will help, but your doctor may recommend other measures – including more regular eye exams. Eating right, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking also protect your vision.

* Seek medical attention if you experience eye problems. These may include sudden vision loss or blurriness, flashes of light, eye pain, double vision, redness or swelling of the eye or eyelid.

* Wear sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat. This helps to protect your eyes from ultraviolet radiation.

Common eye problems

The following can be easily treated but may also be an early sign of more serious conditions. Always check with your eye doctor if you have questions.

* Presbyopia. This is a gradual loss of the ability to see close objects. The most common treatment is reading glasses.

* Floaters. These are tiny specks that move around in your vision. They can be a normal part of aging but sometimes a sign of other problems.

* Tears. Too many tears can result from light sensitivity, wind or temperature changes. Wearing sunglasses may help. But if the tears are a result of an infection or a blocked tear duct, your eye doctor can treat these problems.

Common eye diseases and disorders

Because many eye diseases have no early signs, an opthamologist or optometrist is the person who can detect problems early. With early detection, they can often mitigate later problems. The following are just a few of the most common. For a full list, visit the National Institutes of Health article referenced at the end of this column.

* Cataracts are one of the most common conditions as people age. They can lead to blurry or unclear vision. In the U.S., cataract surgery is very common and can quickly restore good vision.

* Glaucoma often comes from too much fluid pressure inside the eyes and can lead to vision loss or blindness. Dilated eye exams can provide early detection. Treatment may include prescription eye drops, lasers or surgery.

* Retinal disorders are the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy are two types that may be treated with medications, diet and blood sugar management. Retinal detachment is a medical emergency which happens when the retina detaches from the back of the eye. If you see new floaters, light flashes or it seems like a curtain has been pulled over your eye, go to your eye care professional immediately for diagnosis and treatment.

This is just an introduction to eye health in later life.

More detailed information is found on the National Institute on Health’s Age Page: Aging and Your Eyes at www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/aging-and-your-eyes. This and other articles on eye health (or health in general) should never take the place of visiting your doctor. Be sure to consult with your eye care professional yearly as well as when questions or concerns arise.

* Heather Greenwood is with the University of Hawaii Manoa Cooperative Extension, Maui Intergenerational and Aging Programs. Aging Matters will cover topics of interest to the aging Maui community and will appear on the third Sunday of each month.

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