Common Age-Related Visual Conditions

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is increased pressure of the fluid inside the eye. This can cause optic nerve damage, loss of peripheral vision, decreased night vision, and glare.

Glaucoma is a common cause of blindness. Age, race, and family history are important risk factors.

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the lens, causing blurry or cloudy vision, decreased detail, glare, poor contrast sensitivity, and faded colors. People with cataracts often report “halos” surrounding objects they are looking at, particularly at night. This condition is most common in older adults.

Cataracts can be removed by surgery that replaces the damaged lens with an artificial lens.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is gradual damage to the cells of the macula. This condition is most common in people over 60 years of age.

AMD causes blurry vision and poor color vision, especially in the center of the field of view. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Trusted Source, AMD is the most prevalent cause of blindness and vision loss in people over age 65 in the United States.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the blood vessels of the retina caused by diabetes. It causes blurred or dark spots in the field of vision, poor detail vision, spots, and floaters and can eventually lead to blindness.

The best way to avoid these vision problems is to keep your blood sugars under control, and see your eye doctor every year for a dilated eye exam. Proper care can lessen complications.

If you or a loved one find yourself with one of these conditions, Magnified Life can help enhance the vision you have remaining. Magnified Life offers low vision design consultation to make living environments safer, more efficient, and healthy. With electronic magnifiers, sight can be clearer for important and enjoyable tasks.