A sure sign of getting older is that you wish your arms were longer so that you could focus on the fine print. This condition, called presbyopia, is caused by loss of flexibility of the lens in your eye, affecting your ability to focus on objects close to you. The usual way of dealing with this is to wear prescription glasses for reading and close work, but there are some surgical procedures, such as replacement of the lens with an artificial multifocal lens.
Know your eyes
Your eyes are a complex organ, made up of different parts.
Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)
You may experience blurred or distorted central vision, difficulty reading or driving, or reduction in color perception. A combined supplement containing zinc, copper, vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin may be prescribed. ARMD is described medically as “wet” or “dry” type. Wet ARMD can be treated with injections of Lucentis directly into the eye, or laser procedures to prevent progression of the disease.
There are a number of other age-related eye conditions, which can cause your vision to decline. Some of these are treatable, so don’t just accept that it is an inevitable part of ageing.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. It is a condition, which leads to increased fluid pressure in your eye, damaging the optic nerve. Risk increases if you have a family history. One in eight people will develop glaucoma, but half of the people with glaucoma in Australia do not know they have it, so regular testing is essential, as you get older. Glaucoma can be controlled with eye drops and may need laser surgery.
Cataracts
Cataracts are opaque areas in the lens of your eye. The risk increases if you smoke; you have diabetes or take cortisone medication in the long-term. Lenses affected by cataracts can be removed and replaced with artificial lenses.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the damage caused to the retina by poorly managed diabetes. Only 50 per cent of Australians with diabetes have a regular eye examination. Careful management of diabetes with monitoring of blood sugar levels and eye health, diet, exercise and prescribed medication is important in the prevention of vision loss.
Dry eye syndrome
As you get older, your eyes can produce fewer tears. It’s particularly common in women after menopause It may be a side-effect of some medications. Dry eye syndrome causes a tired, scratchy, stinging, or irritated feeling. It can also result in intermittent blurring of vision. It’s not possible to “cure” this condition but it can be managed with drops or gels to replace tear production.
Looking after your eyes
- Avoid injury. If your work or sporting activity involves potential injury to your eyes, take eye protection seriously and wear protective glasses or goggles (as pictured above).
- Wear sunglasses when you are outdoors to give you protection against damage to your eyes caused by ultraviolet radiation from sun and reflected glare.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking increases the risk of many eye diseases, such as ARMD.
- Check your blood pressure and make lifestyle changes or take prescribed medication to keep your blood pressure in the normal range.
- Have eye checks regularly as part of your general health checks, especially as you get older and if you have conditions such as glaucoma or diabetes in the family. You can see an optometrist for eye checks. If you have existing eye disease or you are at high risk, you should see an ophthalmologist (a medical eye specialist). You can make an appointment with an optometrist directly, or your GP can refer you to an ophthalmologist.
The good vision diet
- Choose low-fat foods. If you have high cholesterol, work on getting it down.
- A higher intake of foods rich in certain carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin, which give plants their orange, red or yellow color) may lower the risk of developing advanced or exudative (wet) macular degeneration. Foods rich in carotenoids include egg yolk, kiwifruit, zucchini, spinach, peas, honeydew melon, Brussels sprouts, green beans, apples, corn, grapes, pumpkin, capsicum, cucumber, orange juice, celery, green onions, broccoli and mango.
- A high intake of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can reduce the incidence of cataract and adequate protein in your diet helps to reduce the risk of one type of cataract.
