AGING VISION
LOSS
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Visual aging is a natural process that affects us all
sooner or later. If you are over 40 years of age, the world probably looks
different from the one you knew at 30. The colors seem less vibrant, images
are not as sharp, the newspaper is decipherable only when almost plastered
to your nose, walking down the stairs is a challenge. All these are symptoms
of visual aging and age-related vision loss.
Vision loss can result from many factors, but it is primarily
a reflection of changes in the eye's optics. The problem of visual aging
and vision loss can be further compounded if certain occular disorders
develop with age. Some of the common ones are:
Presbyopia: A condition, which develops with age, this
is the loss of the power of accomodation. It is caused by a change in
the refractive ability of the lenses. The eye is unable to change focus
and accomodate within normal reading distance. As a result it may become
difficult to bring small print into focus without holding it at arms length.
One way of delaying, even preventing presbyopia, is to keep the eye muscles
flexible. Eye exercises are proven to be the most effective in combating
eyesight problems related to refraction.
Loss in Contrast Sensitivity: Contrast sensitivity is
the ability to distinguish light from dark areas, and objects from their
background. What happens, as we age, is that white areas begin to look
brighter - this does not cause a problem. The dark areas, however, appear
darker, and when they merge into the background, it may become impossible
to see the object distinctly.
Loss of contrast sensitivity is caused by age-related
changes in the spherical abberations of the cornea and the lenses. In
a young eye the positive spherical abberation of the average cornea is
balanced out by the negative spherical abberation of the crystalline lens.
This balance enables light to focus onto the retina to produce a high-contrast
image.
With age, the spherical abberation of the lens becomes
increasingly positive; it can no longer compensate for the shape of the
cornea. This causes the light entering the eye to scatter before it hits
the retina. As a result the image on the retina is no longer sharp and
clear.
The loss of ability to disguish dark from darker can
functionally incapacitate one, making it unsafe to drive or go out at
night. Poor quality of vision can seriously impair the quality of life,
slowing one down, causing undue fatigue and leading to impaired judgement.
Daily activities involving close-up work and walking up and down the stairs
also become affected due to loss of contrast sensitivity.
When our eyes are young they contain high concentrations of natural antioxidants that protect against cataract, macular degeneration and other eye disorders. However, degenerative changes in the eye often begin in middle age, resulting in macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts and other forms of retinopathy in later life.
As we enter middle age, synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione is reduced, resulting in excessive free radical damage. Free radicals for the most part cause cataracts and other senile eye disorders. Oxidative stress is also a contributing factor in the development of macular degeneration.
Macular Degeneration: The macula is the central part of the retina, and
is responsible for identifying detail in the field of vision. A progresive
disorder, connected with aging, macular degeneration affects the central
part of the retina and causes loss of vision in the elderly. Retinal nerve
tissue gets destroyed, and afflicted persons may develop an area of blindness
which affects normal sight. Identification of detail, and even recognition
of faces and characters in print, may become difficult.
Glaucoma: This is a condition in which the fluid pressure
within the eye increases to such a level as to cause damage the eye. Excessive
pressure could lead to compression and obstruction of the small blood
vessels that supply the optic nerve. Glaucoma can lead to gradual loss
of vision, and progress to blindness.
Cataract: Progressive loss in clarity of vision occurs
with age as the lenses of the eyes become opaque - a condition which is
extremely common. When cataract develops, the cloudy lens both obstructs
and diffuses light, making eyesight less clear. Cataracts are normally
treated by surgical removal and implant of new lenses. But many prefer non-invasive treatments.
A breakthrough treatment for cataracts was featured in the UK on the Richard & Judy Television Show.
A tip for preserving eye health - as you progress in age, it becomes increasingly necessary to maintain the elasticity of the eye muscles. The proven method of doing so is through specially
formulated eye exercises.
And last but not least, make sure you take the correct nutritional supplements for the eyes.
Antioxidant supplements, taken orally, have been shown to help protect against senile eye disorders. Sometimes topical applications are most suitable, especially if the blood circulation is sluggish, thereby affecting blood circulation to the eye and reducing the effectiveness of ingested supplements.
