What are age-related eye problems?
There are several conditions that are common after a person crosses 40 years of age. First and foremost is presbyopia, where the patient will experience difficulty with near vision. Cataract (clouding of the natural crystalline lens), glaucoma, high-pressure related nerve damage, age-related macular degeneration, diabetes and hypertension related changes, and dryness are some of the age-related eye problems. If diabetes and hypertension are not under control, it can lead to retinopathic changes, which will again affect the quality of vision. So, regular eye checkup is advised after 40 years to prevent eye diseases.
How can one prevent age-related eye problems and what are the treatment options available?
Prevention of age-related eye problems includes comprehensive eye examination and lifestyle modifications like control of diabetes and hypertension, regular exercise, healthy diet, and wearing UV protective glasses where UV-induced eye damage can be prevented, and avoiding smoking. For those who are having presbyopia, they can use neovision glasses. Those who suffer from cataract can go for cataract surgery, which includes options like laser procedure, phacoemulsification to robotic surgery. For glaucoma, medical management is available. If the pressure is not under control with medical management, laser and surgical options are also available. For age-related macular degeneration, where the central vision gets affected, eye injections and supplements are available. Those working in the IT sector are prone to severe dry eye problems. They should follow the 20-20-20 rule – every 20 minutes look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
What is the role of antioxidants in preventing age-related eye issues?
Everyone is aware that vitamin A is very good for eye health. Likewise, antioxidants like vitamin C, E, lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc also play a key role in protecting the retinal cells. By preventing retinal cell damage from oxidative stress, it can prevent nerve damage and diseases. It is naturally available in green leafy vegetables, carrots, citrus fruits, and nuts. It is available as supplements also. This can prevent progression of macular degeneration and also delay cataract formation. Don’t take medicines without consulting a doctor.
What are the seasonal eye health issues?
Each season definitely brings unique challenges to eye health. When it comes to the summer season, because of increased sunlight exposure and increased UV light induced damage, it can lead to photokeratitis and it can aggravate the dryness. During monsoon season, because of the humid weather, it can increase the risk of communicable eye diseases like conjunctivitis (Madras eye). During the winter season, it can cause tear film instability, and lead to dryness and irritation in the eyes. By wearing protective eye goggles and maintaining good hygiene like frequent hand washing, such diseases can be avoided.
What is the role of hormones in eye health?
Hormones play a significant role in eye health. For example, particularly in women during their menopausal age, because of imbalance in estrogen and androgen levels, it can affect production of tears and lead to severe dry eyes. The most common hormone related eye diseases are owing to insulin level, which plays a key role in diabetes. If it is abnormal, it can lead to diabetic retinopathy related complications. Other common hormone related eye diseases are linked to thyroid and cortisol levels, which can affect the intraocular pressure as well as the vision.
What is the role of hormones in eye health?
Hormones play a significant role in eye health. For example, particularly in women during their menopausal age, because of imbalance in estrogen and androgen levels, it can affect production of tears and lead to severe dry eyes. The most common hormone related eye diseases are owing to insulin level, which plays a key role in diabetes. If it is abnormal, it can lead to diabetic retinopathy related complications. Other common hormone related eye diseases are linked to thyroid and cortisol levels, which can affect the intraocular pressure as well as the vision.
How do thyroid disorders impact eyes?
There is a wide spectrum of thyroid disorders particularly hyperthyroidism, also known as Graves disease. It can lead to severe dry diseases. When the thyroid levels are abnormal it can lead to inflammation and swelling of the eye muscles as well as the tissues. The inflammation and swelling can lead to prominent eyeballs (bulging of eyeballs), redness, watering as well as double vision, and in the worst case, it can affect the vision also due to optic nerve compression. Early diagnosis, taking medications properly and regular follow-up can prevent serious complications.