Lions Clubs International Foundationand

Women’s Eye Health.org

Eye Health for Seniors:

Your Aging Eyes and

Clear Vision for Life

Attention Seniors:

• By age 65, one in three Americans have some vision-impairing eye disease

• Most don’t know it—often there are no

early warning signs• Poor sight is not a natural part of aging• You can take measures to preserve your

sight• Have eye disease detected and treated early• Visit an eye doctor at least every 1-2 years

Did you know that:

• Three-fourths (75%) of all blindness and vision impairment is either preventable or treatable

• The same good health habits that protect your heart and lungs also help your eyes

• It is never too late to take care of your eyes

Importance of Good Vision for Seniors

• Independence: working, driving and cooking• Quality of life: reading, watching TV and seeing grandchildren• Mental health: less isolation and depression• Physical health: fewer falls, which could lead to bone fractures

Age-related Eye Conditions More

Common in Seniors:

• Presbyopia• Dimming of vision• Cataract(s)• Dry eye• Glaucoma• AMD (age-related

macular degeneration)

Aging: What most seniors can expect

Presbyopia:• Diminished ability to focus on near

objects• Happens to nearly everyone• Often first noticed between ages 40-50• Typically results in the need for reading

glasses or bifocals

Presbyopia: What to do

• Make sure your eyeglasses are correct for both distance and reading

• Visit an eye-care professional at least every two years

• For convenience, buy several pairs of inexpensive reading glasses

Aging: Dimmer vision

Caused by:• Slight loss of retinal

function• Beginning cataract(s)

Dimmer Vision: What to do

• Use brighter lighting for reading• For safety, make sure your home is

well lit• See your eye doctor if there is a

sudden loss of vision

Cataract

• Caused by eye’s lens becoming opaque• Nearly everyone will have them by age 90• Smoking increases incidence of some types• Symptoms include:

1. Dark, fuzzy vision even with glasses

2. Glare

3. Halos around bright lights (dangerous for

driving)

Cataract: What to do

• When your eye doctor thinks your cataract(s) are “ripe” have them removed surgically

• This is a very common, simple and successful procedure

• Surgery involves implanting an artificial lens (No more “coke-bottle” glasses)

Dry Eye

• Very prevalent in people over 55• Two-to-three times more common in

women• Caused by insufficient tears or by eyelid

inflammation• Persistently painful, stinging or itchy eyes• Causes much suffering• Sometimes leads to serious infection

Dry Eye: What to do

• Artificial tears are mainstay of treatment• Try different eye drops to find best for you• Eye ointment at bedtime may help• Avoid wind, smoke and very dry rooms• See an eye doctor if the condition persists

Potentially Blinding Diseases

Very serious—requires medical care:

• AMD• Glaucoma• Diabetic retinopathy

Age-related Macular Degeneration

(AMD)

• Leading cause of blindness and irreversible vision loss in seniors

• Gradually destroys central retina (macula) needed for sharp vision

• Three times more common in smokers• Late stage has two forms: “dry” and “wet”• Wet form caused by leaky blood vessels

behind retina

AMD Symptoms

• Experience no pain• Blurred central vision, even with glasses• Later symptom includes dark or empty

area in center of vision• In “wet” form, straight lines appear curved

AMD: What to do

• Don’t smoke• To monitor deposits behind retina,

get a comprehensive eye exam, with dilated pupils, at least every 2 years

• New treatment for wet form can stop and sometimes reverse disease

• This involves injections into eye to stop growth of new vessels

Glaucoma

• Called “silent thief of sight” (no symptoms until permanent damage done)

• Gradually destroys optic nerve• Peripheral (side) vision lost first• Essential for seniors to have comprehensive

eye exam at least every 1-2 years

Glaucoma: What to do

• Get periodic eye exam, with dilated pupils (drops) at least every 1-2 years

• This detects glaucoma before any damage sets in

• Prescription eye drops usually halt disease• May require trial of different types of drops• If necessary, a simple surgery can increase

fluid flow out of eye

Diabetic Retinopathy

• Serious complication of diabetes• Technically not age-related• Increases with duration of diabetes,

hence, with age• Leaky blood vessels inside retina• Distorted and lost vision near leaks

Diabetic Retinopathy: What to do

• Best to prevent diabetes in the first place• Diabetes is related to obesity, so maintain a

healthy weight• If you have diabetes, be under the care of

an eye doctor (visit at least once a year)• If retinal hemorrhage occurs, get laser

treatment quickly—this usually saves sight

Low-vision Aids

• If you have lost considerable vision from eye disease, don’t lose hope

• “Low vision” is 20/200 (with glasses) or worse, but it is not blindness

• Go to an optometrist who specializes in low-vision aids

• Low-vision aids can help you resume normal activities

Types of Low-vision Aids

Can be as simple as:• Magnifying glass• Large-print books and clocks• Electronic magnifiers for books and TV• Special eyeglasses to allow driving

Why should I see an eye doctor?

• Diagnose glaucoma before there is irreversible vision loss

• Make sure eyeglasses are correct• Treat cataracts, AMD and diabetic

retinopathy in a timely manner

• All seniors, at least every 1- 2 years• More often if you have:

• An eye disease• Family history of serious eye disease• Diabetes• An autoimmune disease (like Sjögren’s or

MS) that can affect the eye• A sudden change in vision

When should I see an ophthalmologist or

optometrist?

What you can do to keep clear vision for life

• Make sure your home is well lit• Keep your eyeglasses up-to-date• See an eye doctor regularly• If you smoke, try to stop• Maintain a healthy weight

Be eye smart!

It’s largely up to you

to maintain your eye health – be proactive!

To learn more, visit:

• www.lcif.org• www.womenseyehealth.org• www.Schepens.harvard.edu• www.healthyvision2010.org• www.nei.nih.gov/health

Presented by:Lions Clubs International Foundation

working in partnership withWomen’s Eye Health.org

to prevent blindnessFunded through a Lions Clubs International

Foundation SightFirst grant.

For more information please visit

www.lcif.org and www.womenseyehealth.org.