Ohio Department of Aging
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July 2006
"Look at everything as though you were seeing it for the first time or the last time." While this is a beautiful sentiment, we all hope the latter never comes true. Our sight is something we often take for granted, but what we should never overlook are the warning signs of age-related blindness.
Vision impairment is one of the most feared disabilities among Americans. Although it is believed that half of all blindness can be prevented, the number of people who suffer vision loss continues to increase. The leading causes of vision impairment and blindness in the United States are age-related eye diseases. The number of older Americans affected by these diseases is expected to double over the next 30 years.
More than 187,000 Ohioans age 40 and older are currently legally blind or visually impaired. This is largely due to age-related eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, cataract, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.
Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes. The condition involves abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eye. Retinal blood vessels can break down, leak or become blocked, affecting and impairing vision over time. Typically, the longer someone has diabetes, the greater the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy and other eye diseases. Management of diabetes and regular preventive eye exams are the best defense.
A cataract is a clouding of the naturally clear lens of the eye. The exact cause of cataracts is unclear, but they may result from lifetime exposure to ultraviolet radiation contained in sunlight. Other lifestyle factors, such as cigarette smoking, diet and alcohol consumption, may also contribute.
Treatment of cataracts typically involves replacement of the clouded natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens implant.
Glaucoma causes a gradual degeneration of cells that make up the optic nerve that carries visual information from the eye to the brain. As the nerve cells die, vision is slowly lost, particularly peripheral or side vision. Often, a person with glaucoma will not notice vision loss until a significant amount of nerve damage has occurred. Nearly half of all people with glaucoma are unaware that they have the disease.
Once vision is lost to glaucoma, it cannot be restored. However, further loss of remaining vision can usually be prevented with treatment. Medications, laser treatments and surgery can be used to lower intraocular pressure.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) primarily affects the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision. There are two forms - dry and wet. Dry AMD, the most common form, is usually moderate and slowly progressive. Wet AMD is less common, but is more threatening to vision. It's called wet AMD because of the growth of tiny new blood vessels under the retina that leak fluid or break open. This distorts vision and causes scar tissue to form.
It has been said that few people get weak eyes from looking on the bright side. But being an optimist is not enough to preserve your vision. Have your eyes checked regularly by a vision care professional and visit www.preventblindness.org for more information.
Ohio Department of Aging