The main vision problems in the elderly

Age favours the development of visual disorders, creating a daily handicap. Reduced vision actually prevents driving, and overall reduces mobility. It also increases the risk of falls and social isolation, not to mention anxiety and depression.

As people grow older, the ability of the eyes to adapt to changes in light or focus on nearby objects also decreases. This often makes it harder to carry out daily tasks such as reading, cooking, or even walking in low light.

Early diagnosis and treatment  make it possible to slow the progression of the disease, in order to avoid blindness, but above all to preserve the autonomy of the elderly person and improve their quality of life, at home or in a specialized establishment such as eye hospital. 

Regular eye check-ups and timely attention to even minor symptoms can help prevent long-term damage. In many cases, early care leads to better outcomes and allows seniors to continue enjoying their independence.

Cataract 

According to a Cataract Specialist, after the age of 65, the eye’s natural lens often starts to cloud over, reducing the amount of light that can pass through and gradually impairing clear vision. This results in a progressive decline in visual acuity. The manifestations of this pathology are as follows:

• Feeling of fog (veil before the eyes),

• Blurred or blurred vision,

• Night vision problems,

• Increased sensitivity to light,

• Dulling of colours.

These symptoms can affect day-to-day activities like reading, recognizing faces, or driving at night, causing frustration and dependence on others.

Impossible to compensate for by simply wearing glasses or contact lenses, cataracts require rapid surgical intervention which consists of placing a plastic intraocular lens in place of the crystal nucleus. This operation, generally carried out under local anaesthesia, allows you to regain correct vision.It is one of the most common and successful surgeries in the elderly population, with a high success rate and minimal recovery time.

Macular degeneration (AMD) 

AMD affects the macula, the part of the retina that provides central vision, in people over 50. In addition to ageing, smoking and heredity are the main risk factors for developing the disease. Its progression is progressive, with damage to one eye, but over time, and in the case of bilateral eye damage, it is very disabling. There are three forms:

• Dry AMD occurs when the macula becomes thinner than normal, leading to a slow and steady decline in the sharpness of central vision over time. The patient distinguishes colours, but details become increasingly blurred. No treatment exists for dry AMD.

• Wet AMD develops when fragile new blood vessels grow beneath the macula, disrupting its normal function. These fragile vessels allow serum or blood to spill out, creating a blind zone in the middle of the field of vision, with the risk of causing total loss of central vision within a few weeks. This form can be slowed down or even stopped thanks to early diagnosis. The symptoms are:

• A black spot appears in front of the eye

• Distortion (undulation) of straight lines,

• Difficulty distinguishing words,

• A feeling of a lack of light.

• A mixed form with one eye suffering from dry AMD and the other from wet AMD.

Glaucoma 

As per the Glaucoma Specialist, because of increased intraocular pressure due to poor circulation and the flow of aqueous humour between the iris and the cornea, glaucoma gradually destroys the optic nerve. Screening from the age of 40 is recommended because the prevalence of this degenerative disease increases with age. Among seniors, it generally presents itself in two forms:

• Acute angle closure glaucoma (AGFA) presents with severe eye pain accompanied by headaches, nausea, and vision decline. This crisis is triggered by a sudden obstruction and requires emergency intervention, otherwise, it can lead to blindness.

• Chronic open-angle glaucoma (CAOG) results in a gradual loss of lateral vision due to the destruction of the optic nerve. It can take 10 to 20 years to be detected because the patient does not feel pain and does not notice any problems. As an alternative to lifelong treatment with eye drops, surgery to reduce intraocular pressure is possible.

Blepharitis 

Often affecting seniors, but also younger people, this vision disorder is caused by inflammation of the free edge of the eyelids (chronic blepharitis) or an infection of the edge of the eyelid (acute blepharitis) caused by bacteria or an allergic reaction. If it does not cause serious or lasting damage to vision, it causes discomfort and can recur. 

The warning signs of this problem are similar to those observed in dry eyes:

• Irritation,

• Itching,

• Burning sensation,

• Redness and edema,

• Tiny white flakes, like dandruff, can form along the edges of the eyelids where the lashes begin.

Other common vision problems among seniors 

The natural degeneration of the eye and certain age-related diseases can lead to a decline or even loss of vision in seniors.

• Presbyopia: Presbyopia occurs when the eye’s lens stiffens with age, making it harder to focus on nearby objects at the usual reading distance.This condition is usually corrected with reading glasses, which help bring clarity to close-up tasks like using a mobile phone or reading a newspaper.

• Diabetic retinopathy: happens when elevated blood sugar levels harm the delicate blood vessels that nourish the retina, potentially affecting vision. An annual exam is essential to avoid serious vision problems. Controlling diabetes through medication, diet, and exercise plays a major role in preventing this complication. Early detection can lead to effective treatment and preserved vision.

• High blood pressure and arthritis are also accelerators of vision deterioration. Both of these conditions can indirectly damage blood vessels in the eye or lead to inflammation that affects eye health. Regular monitoring and medication adherence are key in keeping them in check.