Eye Health in Older Patients
Eye Health in Older Patients
There are several eye problems that become more common among people as they age, although they can affect anyone at any age. Many of them while bothersome are not particularly serious such as presbyopia ( having too many tears from light sensitivity) Others however can be both serious and have a huge impact on a patients life.
Cataracts
Cataracts are cloudy areas that cover part of or the entire lens inside the eye. In a healthy eye, the lens is clear like a camera lens. This means that light has no problem passing through it to the back of the eye to the retina where images are processed. When a cataract is present, the light cannot get through the lens as easily, and, as a result, vision can be impaired. Cataracts often form slowly, and normally without pain, redness or tearing in the eye. Some stay small and do not alter eyesight, but if they become large and thick, cataracts can usually be removed by surgery. Surgery is often not needed or can be delayed for moths or years. Many people with cataracts treat the symptoms with the help of glasses, contact lenses and other vision aids.
Glaucoma
This condition develops when there is too much fluid pressure inside the eye. It occurs when the normal flow of the watery fluid between the cornea and the lens of the eye is blocked. If not treated early, this can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness. Glaucoma is less commonly caused by other factors such as injury to the eye, severe eye infection, blockage of blood vessels, or inflammatory disorders of the eye. Because most people with glaucoma have no early symptoms or pain, it is very important to get your eyes checked by an eye doctor regularly. Treatment may include prescription eye drops, oral medications or surgery
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over the age of 60. It occurs when the small central portion of the retina known as the macula deteriorates. The retina is the light-sensing nerve tissue at the back of the eye. Because the disease develops as a person ages, it is often referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Although macular degeneration is almost never a totally blinding condition, it can be a source of significant visual disability. There are two main types of age-related macular degeneration: The Dry Form and The Wet Form
The Dry Form
Most patients are affected by this form and it is characterized by the presence of yellow deposits called drusen in the macula. A few small drusen should not cause changes in vision, however, as they grow in size and increase in number, they may lead to a dimming or distortion of vision that people find most noticeable when they read. In the advanced stages, patients lose central vision
The Wet Form
The “wet” form of macular degeneration is characterized by the growth of abnormal blood vessels from the choroid underneath the macula. These abnormal blood vessels and their bleeding eventually form a scar leading to permanent loss of central vision.
Treatment
There is currently no cure for macular degeneration, but treatments may prevent severe vision loss or slow the progression of the disease considerably. Several options are available: such as Anti- Angiogenesis drugs and vitamins
We at Brookes Pharmacy recommend Macushield for AMD.
89% of AMD patients (age 60+) taking a Macushield product for 12 months or more, say their AMD has not progressed
87% of cases have had this confirmed by their ophthalmologist
MacuShield is now just €39.99 at Brookes Pharmacy
