Common Eye Conditions That May Develop As You Age

Many eye conditions occur during your older years, making increasing age a major risk factor for their development. This is why it is important to take care of your eyes as early as now. As a start, it is a good idea to understand these common age-related vision problems. Your expert eye doctor discusses these more in detail. 

Cataracts

Your lenses are naturally clear and flexible. As you age, however, cataracts may form on their surface and block light rays from entering your eyes. This may cause your vision to cloud, which may prevent you from doing your daily tasks efficiently. If the cataracts are causing you significant visual limitations, we may suggest removing them surgically and replacing your lens with an artificial one.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration happens when the macula, the focal point of your retina, deteriorates over time. Since these structures play large roles in your central vision, any changes to them may result in limited central visual capacity. You may see blind spots or floaters across your visual field. Your trusted optometrist may then develop a treatment plan which aims to preserve your remaining vision, depending on the type of AMD you have.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye disease occurs when your eyes fail to produce the right quality or amount of tears to keep your eyes lubricated. The risk of having dry eyes increases as you age, partly because of the hormonal changes you may experience over time. This condition may cause your eyes to turn red, itchy, and watery. We may recommend applying artificial tear drops or punctal plugs to keep your tears at a healthy level.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a refractive error that develops when your lenses turn rigid in your adult years, particularly during your 40’s. You may have a hard time seeing nearby objects, which is why you may notice individuals at this age holding their reading materials away from their eyes. We may suggest using eyeglasses or contact lenses with multiple prescriptions to help you see clearly at varying distances.

If you have any further questions about these age-related eye conditions, call us at (703) 938-7633 or complete our form. We see patients from many areas in Northern VA, including Vienna, Reston, and McLean.