Risk of Many Eye Conditions Increases with Age

We love September! Back to school, football (yay!) and the hope of fall just around the corner. Additionally, it’s Healthy Aging Month, and at Cargo Eye Care, we think that makes it a great time to consider the health of aging eyes. Consider this:

One in six Americans who are 65 and older have a vision issue that we cannot correct with glasses or contact lenses.

That means the more candles you have on your birthday cake, the greater your risk for developing many eye conditions. Still, many seniors don’t prioritize having an annual comprehensive eye exam. This should not be!

So, to spotlight the importance of taking care of aging eyes, we partner with the American Academy of Ophthalmology for Healthy Aging Month. Together, we are raising awareness of the signs of vision loss and offering steps to help seniors take care of their eyes.

Which Vision Conditions Are Age-Related?

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is associated with diabetes. Important to know, it is a leading cause of blindness in American adults. With diabetic retinopathy, raised blood sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels within the eye.

So, if you have diabetes, work closely with your doctor to monitor and treat it because the condition puts your eyes at risk for vision problems.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading causes of blindness in the United States today. This condition runs in families and, like the name implies, is associated with aging. With AMD, the central portion of the retina (called the macula) deteriorates. This deterioration affects central vision and negatively impacts everyday activities like driving, reading and recognizing faces.

AMD affects millions of people each year. If you are concerned about this condition, schedule a visit with your trusted eye doctor. Rest assured, we can connect you with a retina specialist who can guide you through managing this sight-stealing condition.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve located in the back of your eye. Abnormally high pressure in your eye is to blame. The condition more often occurs in people over the age of 60 and over 40 if Hispanic or African American. Additionally, glaucoma is at least partially hereditary. However, the presence of glaucoma within your family does not guarantee you will develop the condition, but it is a significant risk factor.

Symptoms of glaucoma start slowly, so you may not even notice them until the condition has developed further. In fact, the only way to find out if you have glaucoma is to have a comprehensive eye exam. At present, there’s no cure for glaucoma. But early treatment can often stop the damage and protect your vision. Dr. Cargo is a glaucoma specialist.

Cataracts

As you get older, a cloudiness can develop on the natural lens of your eye, causing your vision to blur. As a result, the lens becomes too thick and cloudy, allowing for cataract formation. Millions of Americans currently live with cataracts, and many more will develop them by the age of 65.

But you don’t want to spend your golden years with cloudy vision! At Cargo Eye Care, we love to work with our senior patients in getting their cataracts taken care of. And great news: advances mean cataract surgery is safer and more effective than ever before! In addition, today’s advanced technology lenses are designed to help you live your life…the way you want to live it.

Prime Vision for Your Prime Years

Don’t skip your annual sight-saving exam! Annual comprehensive eye exams are critical as they can reveal hidden signs of disease. This is why we recommend that adults have them annually or more often as their doctor recommends.

“Our focus on comprehensive eye health means we look for anything that might affect your eyes. From basic eye exams to dry eye check-ups, we want to safeguard every aspect of your eye health.”

Jonathan Cargo, OD, optometrist and founder of Cargo Eye Care

At Cargo Eye Care, we love seeing our patients enjoying life in every season, and that includes your golden years! To help you enjoy good vision for many years, our doctors have experience diagnosing and managing many age-related eye conditions. Schedule your comprehensive eye exam today to make sure your eyes are healthy for a lifetime. And here’s to healthy aging!