As we grow older, our eye health is somehow not the same as when we were youngsters. Approximately one out of three has some form of vision-reducing eye disease by the age of 65.
So, how do your eyes change as you age? Here are the common signs:
- Losing the capacity for close-up vision.
- Having a hard time acknowledging colours, particularly blue and black.
- Requiring time to become accustomed to varying light levels.
These are normal problems that we can easily correct using glasses, contact lenses, and through lighting improvement. However, most seniors cannot avoid it. The usual eye conditions causing vision loss among elders are:
- age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- cataracts
- diabetic retinopathy
- glaucoma
Understanding eye conditions
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
The macula is the small central portion of the retina having millions of nerve cells that are really sensitive to light. This part of the retina is responsible for detailed vision, such as facial recognition and reading.
AMD is characterised by having a low amount or loss of cells in the macula that causes blurred, unclear, or distorted central vision. With this condition, you may experience vision loss but doesn’t cause total blindness.
Having this kind of eye disease doesn’t have any cure but in the early stages, nutritional supplements will possibly help.
Cataracts
The normal eye is clear like a camera lens. Cataracts are the clouding of the lens of your eye. They keep light from easily passing through the lens to the back of the eye causing blurry vision.
Cataracts form slowly and stay small and don’t alter eyesight. If they become large or thick and affect your vision, you can undergo surgery and remove them.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is an effect of the complication of diabetes. This comes up when smaller blood vessels stop feeding the retina properly. In the early stages of diabetes-related retinopathy, the blood may leak fluid, causing blurred vision or no symptoms at all.
If not controlled, diabetic retinopathy may cause serious vision loss or blindness. To cure this, drug injections and laser surgery are big solutions.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is related to increased pressure inside the eye. This one must be treated because this condition can lead to permanent vision loss or total blindness. Risk factors for glaucoma include heredity, race, diabetes, and most commonly, ageing.
This disease does not have any early symptoms or pain. To detect glaucoma, you must undergo an examination to assess the appearance of the optic nerve, measure the eye pressure, and test the visual field.
How to prevent age-related eye problems
While age-related eye conditions and issues become increasingly common, many can be avoided or prevented. Here are some tips for your eye health as you age.
Have a regular check-up
Visit an ophthalmologist or optometrist regularly for an eye check-up. It is essential that you find and treat any vision problems immediately.
Don’t hesitate to ask the doctors. When you get advice from experts early on, the better the chance to prevent vision loss. Also, always have a list of concerns and questions ready for them.
Make smart food choices
Control the food you eat to have healthy eyes. Making smart food choices can result in normal blood pressure and help prevent diabetes.
Manage your time using gadgets and computer
If you spend hours on the computer, or any type of gadget, take a break every 20 minutes to look about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will help you to avoid eye strain.
Protect your eyes
Wear sunglasses to block ultraviolet radiation and a hat with a wide brim when you are outdoors.
Stop smoking
Many people are not aware that smoking is one of the causes of vision loss. Studies show that it allows the increase of AMD, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
The ASAG Reverse Mortgage — see the brighter side of retirement
Make sure to regularly visit your eye doctor and seek advice about experiencing vision impairment. If you don’t have health insurance or can’t afford to pay for eye surgeries to enhance your eye vision, you have the option to use the equity in your home through the ASAG Reverse Mortgage. It can help with your Medical Expenses, especially issues regarding your eyesight.
The ASAG team is more than happy to assist you with more details about how our reverse mortgage works. Our lines are open on 1300 002 724 and at info@asagfirst.com.au, so feel free to call us or send your enquiries about our equity release solutions.
You can also get started by using our tool below to assess your available equity.