3 things that can affect vision as you age

(NC) We often think of vision loss as a byproduct of aging, but that thinking can cause us to miss a host of serious conditions. That’s why it’s important to understand vision loss, not as an inevitable part of getting older, but as a possible sign of one of several specific health issues. Here are some examples:

1. Dry eyes. Did you know that many of us produce fewer tears as we age? It’s not just an issue if you enjoy a good cry – tears help keep our eyes from drying out. But as tear production falls off, our eyes can become red, dry and painful. Dry eyes can affect nighttime driving as well as reading.

   Fortunately, there are treatment options available, from moisturizing eye drops to vitamin supplements and special tear duct plugs. If you find yourself blinking painfully often, or that your tears don’t seem to help when they do come, reach out to your eyecare provider.

2. Glaucoma. This includes several conditions that all damage the optic nerve – the pathway between your eyes and brain – causing slow vision loss over years. It’s sometimes called “the silent thief” because it progresses so slowly that sufferers often don’t notice their vision loss until it has progressed significantly.

   Many glaucoma patients are older adults, and it’s one of the leading causes of vision loss in people over 60. The key to detecting it is regular eye exams that include a measurement of pressure in the eyeball. The condition is manageable but requires lifelong monitoring and treatment.

3. Geographic atrophy (GA). A type of advanced dry macular degeneration, GA affects an estimated five million people worldwide. It’s a condition most often seen in seniors where the macula, the central part of the retina, starts to die off cell by cell. Vision loss begins in the middle of a person’s field of vision, and progresses to make everyday tasks, and even recognizing faces, difficult.

   GA causes irreversible damage and loss of independence, but it is detectable. Talk to your eye-care professional about getting checked regularly, as well as any factors that might put you at higher risk.

Learn more at livingwithga.ca.