The unfortunate nature of getting older often implies eye care problems. By age 65, 1-in-3 Americans have some form of vision-impairing eye disease.
It is absolutely vital that seniors get regular eye exams to check for vision conditions that can lead to partial or permanent vision loss. Many people over the age of 65 have no idea that several vision conditions could be imminent.
Many eye conditions like glaucoma cannot even be felt or perceived by your body. Through early detection many of these horrible vision threatening diseases can be treated and vision can be restored.
Cataracts
A cataract is a progressive clouding of the eyes natural lens. The lens becomes blurry and eventually totally cloudy. Most cataracts develop as a result of old age but early development can be linked to unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking. Cataract Surgery is one of the most common types of eye surgery and has seen many advancements in technology over the years.
AMD – Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) also simply called macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 years of age and older. AMD is a disease that blurs the sharp, central vision you need for straight-ahead activities such as reading, sewing, and driving. AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail. If you feel you are suffering from early stages of macular degeneration, the doctors at Tucker-Kudrna-Holec-Young Eye Care Centre might be able to help. Call us directly for an eye appointment for proper diagnosis. Some eye vitamins have legitimate data indicating that regular usage can prevent the development of the more severe stages of this disease.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages the optic nerve and causes vision loss – often without warning and symptoms. Like a cable wire, the optic nerve is responsible for carrying the images we see to the brain. Damage to the optic nerve can occur when the pressure within the eye increases, usually due to a build-up of aqueous fluid inside the eye. This leads to the development of blind spots in our field of vision. However, damage may occur without elevation of the intraocular pressure. Conversely, the pressure may at times be elevated without damaging the optic nerve. This is a condition known as Ocular Hypertension. Blind spots in the field of vision usually go undetected by the individual until the optic nerve is significantly damaged and a great loss of peripheral or central vision has occurred. A Visual Field evaluation can detect glaucomatous damage in its very early stages. If the disease is untreated the optic nerve may be damaged to a point that irreversible blindness will result.
Diabetic Eye Disease
If you have diabetes, you need to take special care and attention with your eyesight. Approximately sixteen million people in the USA have diabetes and 1/3 of them do not know it. People with diabetes are 25 times more likely to become blind than people without it. Diabetic eye disease refers to a collection of eyesight impairing problems that people with diabetes may develop such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and retinal detachment. Early detection of problems related to diabetes can mean the difference between seeing and not seeing. Please get regular eye exams. Call us for more information.
Call Us: (605) 342-0777
Rapid City, SD 57702