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Doctors say as you age, regular vision testing should be a priority. (Photo illustration by Kevin G. Gilbert Staff Photographer) |
Do you see what I see?
If the answer to your eye doctor's question is no, it's probably time for stronger glasses.
Or maybe the problem is something more serious.
By age 65, one in three people has some form of vision-impairing eye disease, says the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Yet most older adults don't know it because, often, there are no warning signs.
And, for many people, regular vision testing isn't a priority.
But it should be, said Dr. Sunil M. Thadani, an ophthalmologist and cornea, cataract and refractive surgeon with Bergman Eye Center in Hagerstown.
By detecting and treating eye problems early through regular exams, seniors can preserve their sight, he said.
Just as the body ages, so can the eyes.
Some people might go through life with 20-20 vision, Thadani said. It depends on the individual.
"But it's important to understand that as we get older, there is more of a predisposition to certain diseases that affect our eyes," he said.
Unfortunately, many people don't realize those problems exist.
Routine eye exams can make a big difference in correcting, stalling or preventing serious eye problems, he said.
Even if you're healthy, Thadani recommends seeing an eye doctor at least once a year.
"You never know what is happening to your eyes unless you have a full exam," he said.
Aging and the eyes
Among the most common eye problems that accompany the aging process are cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
By the age of 50, cataracts become fairly common and "it's important to monitor your eyes to make sure they're not getting worse," Thadani said.
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye. Most cataracts are related to aging and are common in older people — although they can develop earlier. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.
If the answer to your eye doctor's question is no, it's probably time for stronger glasses.
Or maybe the problem is something more serious.
By age 65, one in three people has some form of vision-impairing eye disease, says the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Yet most older adults don't know it because, often, there are no warning signs.
And, for many people, regular vision testing isn't a priority.
But it should be, said Dr. Sunil M. Thadani, an ophthalmologist and cornea, cataract and refractive surgeon with Bergman Eye Center in Hagerstown.
By detecting and treating eye problems early through regular exams, seniors can preserve their sight, he said.
Just as the body ages, so can the eyes.
Some people might go through life with 20-20 vision, Thadani said. It depends on the individual.
"But it's important to understand that as we get older, there is more of a predisposition to certain diseases that affect our eyes," he said.
Unfortunately, many people don't realize those problems exist.
Routine eye exams can make a big difference in correcting, stalling or preventing serious eye problems, he said.
Even if you're healthy, Thadani recommends seeing an eye doctor at least once a year.
"You never know what is happening to your eyes unless you have a full exam," he said.
Aging and the eyes
Among the most common eye problems that accompany the aging process are cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
By the age of 50, cataracts become fairly common and "it's important to monitor your eyes to make sure they're not getting worse," Thadani said.
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye. Most cataracts are related to aging and are common in older people — although they can develop earlier. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.
