Eye Information
Glaucoma
This is the name of a group of eye conditions in which the optic nerve is damaged at the point it leaves the eye. This nerve carries information from the light sensitive layer in your eye, the retina, to the brain where it is perceived as a picture. Your eye needs a certain amount of pressure to keep the eyeball in shape so that it works properly. In some people the glaucoma damage is caused by raised eye pressure. Others may have pressure within normal limits but damage occurs because there is a weakness in the optic nerve. In most cases, both factors are involved.
Cataracts
Cataract is the name given to the lens of the eye if it becomes cloudy and causes blurred vision, glare and dazzle in bright light. Cataracts are most commonly found in older people. Treatment involves removing the cataract by means of an operation and usually replacing it with a clear lens called an implant. This is usually performed under local anaesthetic.
Macula Degeneration
Is a condition usually of older adults which results in a loss of vision in the centre of the visual field because of damage to the retina. It occurs in ‘Wet’ or ‘Dry’ forms. It is a major cause of blindness in the elderly. Macula degeneration can make it difficult or impossible to recognise faces, although enough peripheral vision remains to allow other activities of daily living. ‘Dry’ macula degeneration occurs when the light sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down, gradually blurring central vision. ‘Wet’ macula degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels behind the retina start to grow under the macula. These new blood vessels tend to be very weak and can leak fluid and raise the macula from its normal place at the back of the eye. Loss of central vision can occur quite quickly, and is more severe than the ‘Dry’ form.
Flashes and Floaters
In most cases floaters are completely natural. Floaters are small pieces of debris and cells that float in the jelly like substance within the eye. With age, the jelly can become less firm and this can cause new floaters to appear. Flashes of light are also very common and people without any eye conditions may also experience them. However, if someone sees an increase in flashing lights or floaters, they should be examined by an optician to rule out additional problems.
Dry Eye
Dry eye syndrome, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is a condition where your eyes do not make enough tears, or your tears evaporate too quickly. This can lead to your eyes drying out, and becoming inflamed. Dry eye syndrome is more likely to affect people who are over the age of 60, and the condition is more common among women than men. The symptoms of dry eye syndrome can be mild or severe, and include itchiness, or scratchiness, around your eyes, as well as blurred vision. Dry eye syndrome is normally not serious. However, there are some rare cases where severe untreated dry eye syndrome has caused visual impairment and scarring of the eye's surface.
The Ageing Eye
Some vision changes are a normal part of aging. Others may be warning signs of other diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes, both common in older adults. Common occurrences during the older years include: development of cataracts, increase in spots, flashes and floaters, onset of glaucoma and incidence of dry eye.
Retinal disorders are a leading cause of vision loss in elderly people. When damaged, the light sensitive cells lining the retina cannot pass images to the brain. If detected and treated early, vision loss may be slowed or halted. Some of the more common retinal conditions include: macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment.