Healthy Vision Month: Learn About Age-Related Eye Conditions

**National Eye Institute Healthy Vision: A Family Focus Showing Pictures of Families Together**

It’s Older Americans Month as well as Healthy Vision Month. This year’s Healthy Vision Month focus is on protecting vision together as a family and finding out about resources for access to eye care.

In preparation for Healthy Vision Month, Dr. Sefy Paulose recently updated our eye conditions section, and Dr. Paulose will be presenting a webinar to discuss age-related eye conditions such as cataract and macular degeneration. Understanding your eye condition is critical to managing your vision loss. For example, certain eye conditions require ongoing use of eye drops. Others may require injections or laser treatment. Some may cause central vision loss while others cause peripheral vision problems.

Please invite your family members to attend the upcoming webinar discussing age-related eye conditions; make it a “family affair”, as family can be a support as you manage your eye condition.

Cataract

Cataract, the clouding of the natural lens inside the eye, is the leading cause of vision loss in the world. There are various types of cataracts; some cause an overall blurring of vision, others may cause glare or a halo effect around lights. These symptoms can make it hard to read, walk safely drive, watch TV, etc. Treatment for cataract surgery includes phacoemulsification, which is the most common surgical method used to remove cataracts.

Learn more about cataracts and types of surgery.

AMD is the deterioration of the macula, a small area in the center of the retina that allows us to see details and contrast sensitivity. This disease is the leading cause of vision loss in the USA for people over 50 years old. Depending on the type of AMD, various treatment options are available such as vitamins, modifiable risk factors and/or injections which may slow down the progression or prevent worsening of AMD.

Learn more about AMD.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can lead to irreversible blindness by damaging the optic nerve, a cable that connects our eye to our brain. Often, glaucoma is called the “sneaky thief” of sight as symptoms or early warning signs of glaucoma tend to be hard to detect. Treatment of glaucoma revolves on various methods of lowering eye pressure through drops, pills, laser procedures and/or surgeries.

Learn more about Glaucoma and about dealing with severe vision loss from glaucoma.

Diabetic Retinopathy

The leading cause of new cases of blindness and low vision in adults aged 20-65 is caused by diabetic retinopathy, damage to the retina caused by uncontrolled blood sugars in patients with diabetes. Symptoms can be subtle at first, and diagnosis is typically found during comprehensive eye exams. Control of your diabetes is paramount to treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Other treatment modalities include injections, lasers, or surgeries.

Learn more about diabetic eye disease and also about coping with diabetes and vision loss.

Dry Eye

Dry eye occurs when tears do not keep the cornea sufficiently hydrated. It can result in decreased vision, as well as irritation, redness, and pain and is an often unrecognized, unattended part of the aging process. Treatment of dry eye ranges from eyedrops, punctal plugs and/or surgeries.

Read more about other dry eye treatments.

Webinar:

Please join us for our upcoming webinar on Aging Well with Vision Loss: The Latest on Age-Related Eye Conditions on May 24, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern. Please register. ACVREP credit will be offered. Dr. Sefy Paulose will be presenting.