Eye on Health: The Signs and Symptoms of Vision Loss

September is Healthy Aging Month, aimed at helping Baby Boomers and Generation Xers enjoy the most rewarding elements of getting older and encouraging healthy habits and behaviors. Most people understand the importance of regular health physicals, but many aren’t as up-to-
speed on how crucial routine comprehensive eye exams are to preventing vision loss.

One in six Americans age 65 and older develop a vision problem that can’t be corrected with prescription lenses. However, with routine dilated eye exams, nearly all eye diseases can be halted in their tracks, preventing, mitigating or delaying serious vision loss. In some cases, proper treatment can even restore vision. That’s why it is so important to include comprehensive eye exams performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist as part of your routine preventive care.

How Often Should I Get an Eye Exam?
People ages 40-64 at average risk of eye disease should have a dilated exam at least once every two years, and those 65 and older at least once a year.

For people 40 and older who are at higher risk of developing ocular disease, a comprehensive eye exam is recommended once a year. Higher risk factors include:
• Personal or family history of ocular disease
• Health conditions that may affect the eyes, such as diabetes and high blood pressure
• Prescription or other drugs that may affect eye health/vision
• Wearing contact lenses daily
• Previous eye injury or eye surgery
• Being Black or Hispanic/Latinx due to a higher risk of glaucoma

The Importance of Regular Eye Exams
Whatever your age, scheduling a comprehensive eye health exam today can begin protecting your vision for the rest of your life. It allows your eye doctor to establish a healthy baseline for your eyes and vision, note any astigmatism (irregular eyeball shape), eye pressure issues, early cataract formation and other key conditions. By having a record of your eyes before symptoms appear, changes can be discovered before they have a chance to permanently diminish vision.

Vision Symptoms That May Require Emergency Care
Should you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, call your eye doctor or general healthcare provider immediately, or have someone drive you to the ER:

• Any sudden change in vision (double vision, blurriness, blind spots)
• Sudden severe pain in or around the eye
• Seeing flashes or floating spots of light
• Sudden development of new floaters (dark spots or threads in vision field)
• New or severe sensitivity to light
• New halo or rainbow effect around lights
• Unexplained severe irritation, redness, swelling or heavy discharge
• A dark curtain falling over one eye
• The sensation of one eye filling up with liquid
• Changes in eye color or white spots on the pupil

Other Signs You Need an Eye Exam
There are plenty of non-emergency signs that vision is getting worse that people tend to adjust to and ignore. While a few symptoms may simply be a sign that your lens prescription needs to be updated, some can also signify an undiagnosed eye disease requiring treatment. In either case, a trip to your eye doctor will not only address the problem, it can help you avoid bodily injury, so take note of the following:
• You walk with greater hesitation, especially on unlevel surfaces, up and down stairs or in reduced light, or you notice changes in depth perception.
• You bump into or brush against walls or furniture, knock things over, or spill food and liquids more frequently.
• You find yourself squinting or cocking your head to see more clearly.
• You have trouble recognizing faces or things that used to be familiar.
• You perform fewer vision-dependent activities like driving, reading or watching TV.

Common Age-related Changes in Vision
As we age, it’s normal to experience some vision loss, particularly close-up vision (called age-related presbyopia), a fading of colors and diminished night vision. Eye dryness can also become common, and should not be left untreated due to vision disruption and an increased chance of infection. Many vision problems can be addressed by updating a lens prescription to include stronger and/or more sophisticated lenses, but some may be signs of more serious problems. Some conditions, like cataracts, can be easily and successfully treated and vision restored, while others, like glaucoma and macular degeneration, can be managed to prevent or delay
progression. In all cases, early treatment is the best way to help prevent vision loss, including blindness.

Treatment for Vision Problems or Loss
The ophthalmologists and optometrists of Lake Eye (a US Eye company) are dedicated to preserving and restoring vision. Treatments are available for nearly all eye conditions that will halt, slow and even reverse vision loss.

Treatment for cataracts – The Board-certified surgeons of Lake Eye have performed tens of thousands of laser cataracts surgeries using computer-
assisted custom eye mapping and pinpoint lens replacement, restoring clear, crisp sight in a matter of minutes. Lake Eye is a local leader in cataract removal and IOL placement.

Managing glaucoma – In early stages, glaucoma can begin destroying vision without producing symptoms, which is why routine eye checks are so important. In most cases, prescription eye drops and/or oral
medication are enough to slow or stop progression and prevent blindness. If eye drops or medications prove insufficient, Lake Eye offers a range of glaucoma surgery options to effectively manage pressure.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – AMD is common in people over 55 and can lead to loss of central vision. Again, the key to effective treatment is an early diagnosis. Early on, many cases of AMD can be managed with special dietary supplements. When needed, Lake Eye offers leading-edge surgical treatments.

Soothing chronic dry eye – Lake Eye offers an array of options for chronic dry eye catered to the cause, including medical eye drops, specialized compresses, and LipiFlow thermal pulsation treatment for lasting, drug-free relief.

Managing diabetic retinopathy – Diabetic retinopathy can damage the blood vessels of the retina, leading to vision loss. Our eye doctors perform diabetes-specific eye exams using state-of-the-art technologies to help manage this disease and stop or slow its progression.

If you haven’t had a complete eye health exam in a while, give your eyes the love and care they deserve and make an appointment today. From general eye care to laser cataract surgery, plus an optical department with the latest in high-tech lenses and fashion-forward styles, Lake Eye has all your vision needs covered for life.

Lake Eye Associates
352-775-1533