The Eyes Have It: AGS Offers Advice On Ways Seniors Can Maintain Healthy Vision

New York, NY - As older adults age, it's critically important that they take proper care of their eyes to help avoid potential health hazards associated with vision loss. According to Andrew Lee, M.D., member of the American Geriatrics Society, vision loss can severely impact the quality of life in seniors.

"When an older person's vision is pretty good, they're more engaged in activities, their sense of independence is better, and their life span is often longer as their eyesight can help to avoid falls and other hazardous situations," says Dr. Lee. "Poor or impaired vision also make illnesses such as depression, dementia and hearing loss even worse as it inhibits the visual cues needed from the environment to live a functional lifestyle."

According to Dr. Lee, there are four main causes of visual impairment in seniors.

• Age-related cataracts: A condition where the eye lens gets cloudy and weakens vision. Cataracts can be treated very successfully by undergoing a same-day surgery which requires little to no recover.
• Glaucoma: Develops slowly and causes high pressure in the eye, damaging the optic nerve and impairing the peripheral vision. Early and yearly screening is critical and although glaucoma is not curable, it can be treated with prescription eye drops or by undergoing surgery.
• Age-related macular degeneration: Deterioration of the retina that affects the center vision. Macular degeneration occurs in two forms: the more common but less destructive dry form is characterized by the atrophy of the retina and unfortunately, has no current treatment available, although there is some recent progress in the development of vitamin therapies to reduce its progression and; the less common but more destructive wet form that occurs when new blood vessels form and leak fluid under the retina and can be treated with laser surgery.
• Diabetic retinopathy: Occurs when blood sugar is too high and can block blood flow in the eye's vessels. This can lead to the formation of new blood vessels that leak fluid and can ultimately blind the patient. The best treatment for this condition is to maintain a healthy diet low in sugar and it's also treatable with laser surgery.

To avert these conditions, Dr. Lee says "Prevention is always the best remedy. See your eye care provider on a yearly basis and be screened for common diseases."

If you would like to speak with Dr. Lee, you can contact Ivette Morello at 203-325-8772 x24 or via email at imorello@environics-usa.com.

SOURCE: AGS