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 elder years include:
- stabilization of presbyopia
- development of cataracts
- increase in spots, floaters and flashes
- onset of glaucoma
- incidence of dry eye
- disease, infection or injury of the cornea
- retinal disorders
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
- retinal detachment
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