Ageing And Vision Loss: Check These Useful Insights

Ageing causes a few changes in vision which mostly can be corrected by using corrective eyeglasses and improved lighting. However, some issues are serious and warrant medical attention. Ageing can cause many eye complications such as 

  • Losing the ability to see clearly.
  • Difficulty in differentiating between colours.
  • Taking time to adjust to different levels of light.
  • Dry eyes 
  • Tearing 

Ageing can cause some or other eye issues and the best way to prevent or handle them is to get eyes examined regularly.  The reason being there are many eye diseases that do not show any early symptoms. By the time a change in vision becomes noticeable, the disease would have progressed. Regular eye exams can spot the problems in their early stage.

Some of the age-related eye diseases are

  • Cataracts: It is a medical condition in which a person’s lens becomes cloudy and appears like frosted ice. Lenses of the eyes become hard and cloudy and do not allow all the coming light rays to pass through it and reach to the back of the eye to form an image on the retina. Some of the light gets scattered in different directions by the cloudy lens. It may also cause redness, tearing, blurriness, a halo around the objects in the eye. For the removal of the cloudy lens, surgery is the best option. During the surgery, the damaged natural lens is replaced with a new artificial lens. 
  • Glaucoma: It is an eye condition that affects the optic nerve by excessive pressure in the eye. The optic nerve is an important part of the eye that helps in transferring the sensory information to the brain in the electrical impulses. If it is not treated on time then it may cause permanent vision loss. To identify glaucoma, the doctor will inspect the eyes to see the condition of the optic nerve, measure the pressure and test the visual field. Glaucoma treatment includes a combination of eye drops, oral prescriptions, laser treatment or medical procedures.
  • Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can affect the central vision needed to see objects clearly and to do common activities such as driving and reading. Though there’s no cure for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with timely treatment the disease can be slowed down and vision loss can be prevented.  
  • Diabetic retinopathy: This problem occurs when the blood vessels in the retina get damaged. In diabetic retinopathy, the blood vessels leak and release fluid, causing blurred vision. As the condition progresses, the patient may see floaters and dark spots. Advanced cases of diabetic retinopathy need laser surgery but mild cases can be managed by controlling diabetes. 
  • Conjunctivitis: It causes redness, itching, burning or tearing in the eyes. It can happen in all age groups but elderly people are more prone to irritants or allergies. It can be caused by bacteria or viral infection.

Ageing causes many eye-related issues. Some of these issues are difficult to spot. The best way to timely detect eye conditions is to get your eyes examined once a year. If you are looking for an eye hospital in Kolkata, visit Disha Eye Hospitals. We provide the best possible patient care at affordable rates. 

 

Tests That May Detect Age-Related Eye Problems

As you age, so do your eyes. If you above 50 years old, then an annual eye examination should be part of overall health checkup. Those of you who have high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of eye diseases, should see an eye doctor twice in a year. Vision problems can develop due to age-related issues as well as medical conditions. The best way to save your eyes is to detect issues early with regular eye examinations before the eye conditions reach an advanced stage. In between examinations, if you notice any change in your vision, contact an eye specialist at the earliest.

eye test

Keep your eyes healthy in your golden years with Disha Eye Hospitals

Untreated age-related eye changes can harm vision and eventually, adversely affect the quality of life. A delay in eye examination may end in unfortunate consequences. If you are above 50, it’s better to get a regular eye examination done before an eye disease sneaks up on you. For test and treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy in Kolkata, consult eye doctors at Disha Eye Hospitals, best eye hospital in West Bengal. Early detection of an eye disease means timely medical attention. Visit http://www.dishaeye.org/contact-us to schedule an appointment.

Eye tests that the elderly need:

As you age, it’s time to be proactive about your eye health and monitor any changes in your vision. Read on to learn about common eye tests that the elderly people should get to keep track of their eye health:

  1. Eye pressure testing (tonometry): This test checks the pressure inside your eyes. High pressure inside your eyes can damage the optic nerve of the eyes. This test helps the doctor see if you have Glaucoma or you are you’re at risk for glaucoma. As the symptoms of Glaucoma only show up once the disease has reached an advanced age, it’s important to detect the disease early. Early detection can help you slow down vision loss.

  2. Dilated retinal examination: A dilated retinal examination can help spot many eye health problems and diseases like Diabetic Retinopathy and Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Pupil dilation is very important at revealing the status of your optic nerve and the health of the retina. The test is critical to detecting retinal diseases that could be potentially dangerous. It is recommended that people above the age of 50 years should have an annual, comprehensive, dilated eye examination. If left untreated, both Diabetic Retinopathy and Age-Related Macular Degeneration can cause severe vision loss in elderly people.

  3. Slit lamp (microscope): A slit lamp test uses a high-power biomicroscope to give the doctor a 3D view of different structures in the eye. It offers the doctor a magnified view of the retina and other structures in the back of the eye. It helps to detect a range of eye diseases like retinal detachment, cataracts, macular degeneration, and bleeding in the eye. It can also spot eyelid disease, cancerous changes and other problems in the eyes.

  4. Refraction: Refraction is part of a routine eye examination. It helps the doctors determine the prescription for eyeglasses you need to see properly. The test helps to detect refractive errors astigmatism, farsightedness, nearsightedness and presbyopia. Changes in your prescription can also help the doctors to detect conditions like diabetes and cataracts.

Everyone who is over 50 years of age should visit an eye specialist for a comprehensive dilated eye exam every year. Even if you aren’t experiencing any vision problems, you should get an annual eye checkup done as many eye diseases have no early warning signs or symptoms. Schedule an eye exam with highly experienced eye specialists at Disha Eye Hospitals. Our eye specialists and eye surgeons make sure that you and your family members receive the best eye care possible. Learn more about the eye hospital at http://www.dishaeye.org/history.

8 Common Signs of Vision Problems

Are you suffering from severe or sudden eye pain? Are you having a blurred or hazy vision? If yes, then you may ignore these signs as they may indicate that you have vision problems. Many people often live with poor vision without realising that they would benefit from vision correction. By putting off a visit to the doctor, you are putting your vision at risk. As soon as you notice any change in your vision or your eyes are paining, it’s time to see an eye doctor. Just like an annual physical examination, it’s equally important to have regular eye examinations. If you are suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and have a family history of eye diseases, then you should get your eyes checked twice in a year.

Book an appointment online with the best eye doctors in Kolkata to keep your eyes healthy

If you are suffering from dizziness and headaches, don’t ignore them. Consult the best eye doctors in Kolkata at Disha Eye Hospitals, to know if the symptoms you are experiencing are not signs of underlying eye diseases. It is advisable to get your eyes checked at least once a year. To book an appointment online with the best eye doctors in Kolkata, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/contact-us.  You can also book an appointment through WhatsApp (9433311111).

8 common signs of vision problems

Here are a few common signs of vision problems that you must watch out for:

  1. Blurred vision: If you are you finding it difficult to get a clear view, then you must visit an eye doctor. The blurred vision can be a sign of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Prescription glasses can help you see better. However, sudden blurriness is a cause of concern. It can be a sign of underlying eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma that show symptoms only after the diseases have advanced.

  2. Pain in the eye: Often people experience pain in the eye. In some cases, it can be harmless as it can be due to tiredness. In some cases, it’s an indication of problems like corneal abrasion, conjunctivitis, and dry eyes. All these can be cured with the right treatment. However, eye pain caused due to glaucoma and optic neuritis should not be ignored.

  3. Difficulty seeing at night: If you are not comfortable driving at night or you need extra light to read at night, let your doctor know about this. Difficulty seeing at night can be caused by a variety of reasons. From sun exposure to cataracts, a wide range of issues can make it hard to see at night.

  4. Frequent headaches: Frequent headaches: A headache can sometimes be a sign that your vision is changing. Eye strain, farsightedness and Presbyopia can cause severe headache or frequent headaches. Therefore, recurring headaches should always be taken seriously.

  5. Double vision: Double vision can happen for many reasons. While drinking too much alcohol can also cause short-term double vision,  double vision that keeps coming back is of grave concern. Cataract, corneal irregularities and eye conditions can cause double vision.

  6. Eye fatigue: Spending too much time on a computer, smartphone, or game console can cause eye fatigue, also called digital eye strain. This quite common among adults and children who spend a lot of time either working on a computer and other digital devices.

  7. Seeing halos and glare: If you are seeing halos and glares, then you must see a doctor at the earliest. Halos and glares indicate that vision problems are preventing light from correctly on the retina.

  8. Floaters and specks: It’s common to see floaters and specks when you are exposed to too much sunlight and you suddenly enter a dark place. However, if you frequently see floaters and specks especially on blank surfaces like a white wall or the sky, then it may be a symptom of a vision problem.

If you fear that you have an eye problem, schedule an eye exam with us as soon as you can. At Disha Eye Hospitals, we have highly experienced ophthalmologists who can help you with the right treatment for different kinds of eye problems. Disha Eye Hospitals are the best for cataract surgery in Kolkata. To know more about us, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/.