Our vision is one of the most precious senses we have, and protecting it is essential to maintaining a good quality of life. As we age, however, various eye conditions can affect our eyesight.
Let’s explore these conditions, their symptoms and how an eye exam can help.
Understanding Cataracts and Other Common Eye Conditions
While cataracts are the most well-known age-related eye condition, several others can also impact vision.
Cataracts
Cataracts are common in older adults. A cataract develops when the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, blocking light from reaching the retina. This can cause blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night and sensitivity to glare. In the early stages, cataracts may not have a noticeable impact on vision, but over time, they can lead to significant vision impairment.
Cataracts can develop for several reasons, including ageing, genetics, and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. While surgery is an effective treatment for cataracts, early intervention through lifestyle changes, such as wearing sunglasses and managing health conditions like diabetes, can help delay the progression.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is another common age-related eye condition. It is the gradual loss of the eye’s ability to focus on close objects, usually beginning around the age of 40. People with presbyopia may experience difficulty reading small print or performing tasks that require near vision, like threading a needle or using a smartphone.
Unlike cataracts, presbyopia is not caused by any clouding of the lens but rather by the lens’s gradual loss of elasticity. The condition can be managed with reading glasses, bifocals, or contact lenses that offer both near and far vision correction.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma are eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, often due to higher intraocular pressure. Without treatment, glaucoma can cause you to lose vision permanently. The two most common forms of glaucoma are open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma.
Open-angle glaucoma is slow and painless, often showing no symptoms until the damage is severe. On the other hand, angle-closure glaucoma can develop suddenly, causing severe pain, nausea and blurred vision. Regular eye exams are useful for detecting glaucoma in its early stages, when treatment is most effective in preventing further damage.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is the degradation of the macula, the central part of the retina. The macula produces sharp, central vision, and when it is affected, it leads to blurry or distorted vision.
Macular degeneration is of two primary types: dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration happens slowly, while wet macular degeneration leads to rapid vision loss due to abnormal blood vessels leaking fluid.
While macular degeneration does not lead to complete blindness, it can make it difficult to perform tasks like reading or recognising faces. Early detection and treatment options, such as lifestyle changes, medications, or laser therapy, can help slow the progression of the disease.
What are the symptoms of cataracts, presbyopia, glaucoma, and macular degeneration?
If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule an eye exam to find the underlying cause and begin appropriate treatment.
Cataracts
Presbyopia
Glaucoma
Loss of peripheral vision, tunnel vision, eye pain (in acute cases), headaches, blurred vision
Macular Degeneration
Blurred or distorted central vision, challenges in reading or recognising faces, dark or empty spots in the central field of vision
The Importance of Early Diagnosis
Early diagnosis can go a long way in preserving your vision and preventing irreversible damage. Some eye conditions, like glaucoma, can cause significant damage to the optic nerve or retina before any symptoms are noticeable.
Regular eye check-ups are best for catching these conditions early and preventing vision loss. During an eye exam, your eye specialist will do several tests to evaluate the health of your eyes and detect any conditions early.
Diagnostic Tests for Each Condition
- Cataracts: A visual acuity test, slit-lamp exam, and retinal examination can detect the presence and severity of cataracts.
- Presbyopia: A refraction test and eye health evaluation can diagnose presbyopia by checking the ability of your eyes to focus on near objects.
- Glaucoma: An eye pressure test (tonometry), optic nerve evaluation, and visual field test are key for diagnosing glaucoma.
- Macular Degeneration: A dilated eye exam, Amsler grid test, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan can help identify macular degeneration and its stage.
Early detection through these tests ensures that appropriate treatments can be started promptly.
Our vision is one of the most precious senses we have, and protecting it is essential to maintaining a good quality of life. As we age, however, various eye conditions can affect our eyesight.
Let’s explore these conditions, their symptoms and how an eye exam can help.
Treatment Options and Management Strategies
Treatment for these conditions will depend on the severity and type of condition.
Cataracts
Cataracts are treated via surgical option. During the surgery, the cloudy lens is removed, then replaced with an intraocular lens.
Presbyopia
Glaucoma
Glaucoma can be treated via a range of solutions such as prescription eye drops, oral medications and laser therapy. In advanced cases, surgery will be needed to prevent further damage to the optic nerve.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is managed through lifestyle changes, such as a healthier diet rich in antioxidants. Wet macular degeneration is treated with medication or injections to target abnormal blood vessels. In some cases, laser therapy or photodynamic therapy are viable treatments.
Understanding the symptoms and treatment options for cataracts, presbyopia, glaucoma, and macular degeneration can help you identify warning signs. To be sure and to get an accurate diagnosis, though, you’ll need to get regular eye exams.
Looking for a Clinic in Singapore for Cataract Surgery and other eye treatments?
If you’re considering cataract surgery and other eye treatments in Singapore, schedule an appointment at Angel Eye & Cataract Centre. Our experienced ophthalmologist will conduct a thorough examination and tailor a customised treatment plan for your needs.
