If you’re like most people over the age of 50, you’ve probably noticed a decline in the quality of your eyesight in recent years. Although this is a natural part of aging, modern advances in medical science have made it possible to continue to enjoy good vision as you age. As with other health conditions, successfully dealing with eyesight issues is easier when problems are found as soon as possible. Following are just three conditions that are much easier to treat when early detection is a part of the picture.
MACULAR DEGENERATION
At one point in the not-so-very-distant past, a diagnosis of macular degeneration meant eventual blindness. Fortunately, there are new treatments available for this progressive disease as well as ways to detect its onset so that treatment can begin as soon as possible. Risk factor for macular degeneration includes genetics, smoking, excessive sun exposure, and age. Women are more likely to develop this condition than men, and it affects Caucasians more than any other race. Ask your eye care professional about including testing for this condition as a part of your regular eye exams if you have reason to believe you may be at risk.
CATARACTS
Cataracts affect almost everyone who lives long enough if you’re over the age of 65, you have a 50 percent chance of being afflicted, and that number continues to rise as you grow older. Innovations in cataract surgery have made it so that no one has to suffer from this condition anymore, so be sure to tell your eye doctor if you experience gradually cloudy vision, which is one of the primary symptoms. Some people who have cataract surgery even find that they need a less strong glasses prescription afterward.
GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma usually sneaks up on people with a slow and steady pace, which can make it difficult to diagnose. If you have a family history of this disease, be sure to communicate that to your eye doctor. Advanced technology has resulted in a variety of treatment options for glaucoma.
Don’t hesitate to give our office a call for more information on protecting the health of your eyes as you age.