Clear Vision for Seniors: Eye Health Guide

1. Lions Clubs International FoundationandWomen’s Eye Health.org Eye Health for Seniors: Your Aging Eyes and Clear Vision for Life

2. Attention Seniors: • By age 65, one in three Americans have some vision-impairing eye disease • Most don’t know it—often there are no early warning signs • Poor sight is not a natural part of aging • You can take measures to preserve your sight • Have eye disease detected and treated early • Visit an eye doctor at least every 1-2 years

3. Did you know that: • Three-fourths (75%) of all blindness and vision impairment is either preventable or treatable • The same good health habits that protect your heart and lungs also help your eyes • It is never too late to take care of your eyes

4. Importance of Good Vision for Seniors • Independence: working, driving and cooking • Quality of life: reading, watching TV and seeing grandchildren • Mental health: less isolation and depression • Physical health: fewer falls, which could lead to bone fractures

5. Age-related Eye Conditions More Common in Seniors: • Presbyopia • Dimming of vision • Cataract(s) • Dry eye • Glaucoma • AMD (age-related macular degeneration)

6. Aging: What most seniors can expect Presbyopia: • Diminished ability to focus on near objects • Happens to nearly everyone • Often first noticed between ages 40-50 • Typically results in the need for reading glasses or bifocals

7. Presbyopia: What to do • Make sure your eyeglasses are correct for both distance and reading • Visit an eye-care professional at least every two years • For convenience, buy several pairs of inexpensive reading glasses

8. Aging: Dimmer vision Caused by: • Slight loss of retinal function • Beginning cataract(s)

9. Dimmer Vision: What to do • Use brighter lighting for reading • For safety, make sure your home is well lit • See your eye doctor if there is a sudden loss of vision

10. Cataract • Caused by eye’s lens becoming opaque • Nearly everyone will have them by age 90 • Smoking increases incidence of some types • Symptoms include: 1. Dark, fuzzy vision even with glasses 2. Glare 3. Halos around bright lights (dangerous for driving)

11. Cataract: What to do • When your eye doctor thinks your cataract(s) are “ripe” have them removed surgically • This is a very common, simple and successful procedure • Surgery involves implanting an artificial lens (No more “coke-bottle” glasses)

12. Dry Eye • Very prevalent in people over 55 • Two-to-three times more common in women • Caused by insufficient tears or by eyelid inflammation • Persistently painful, stinging or itchy eyes • Causes much suffering • Sometimes leads to serious infection

13. Dry Eye: What to do • Artificial tears are mainstay of treatment • Try different eye drops to find best for you • Eye ointment at bedtime may help • Avoid wind, smoke and very dry rooms • See an eye doctor if the condition persists

14. Potentially Blinding Diseases Very serious—requires medical care: • AMD • Glaucoma • Diabetic retinopathy

15. Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) • Leading cause of blindness and irreversible vision loss in seniors • Gradually destroys central retina (macula) needed for sharp vision • Three times more common in smokers • Late stage has two forms: “dry” and “wet” • Wet form caused by leaky blood vessels behind retina

16. AMD Symptoms • Experience no pain • Blurred central vision, even with glasses • Later symptom includes dark or empty area in center of vision • In “wet” form, straight lines appear curved

17. AMD: What to do • Don’t smoke • To monitor deposits behind retina, get a comprehensive eye exam, with dilated pupils, at least every 2 years • New treatment for wet form can stop and sometimes reverse disease • This involves injections into eye to stop growth of new vessels

18. Glaucoma • Called “silent thief of sight” (no symptoms until permanent damage done) • Gradually destroys optic nerve • Peripheral (side) vision lost first • Essential for seniors to have comprehensive eye exam at least every 1-2 years

19. Glaucoma: What to do • Get periodic eye exam, with dilated pupils (drops) at least every 1-2 years • This detects glaucoma before any damage sets in • Prescription eye drops usually halt disease • May require trial of different types of drops • If necessary, a simple surgery can increase fluid flow out of eye

20. Diabetic Retinopathy • Serious complication of diabetes • Technically not age-related • Increases with duration of diabetes, hence, with age • Leaky blood vessels inside retina • Distorted and lost vision near leaks

21. Diabetic Retinopathy: What to do • Best to prevent diabetes in the first place • Diabetes is related to obesity, so maintain a healthy weight • If you have diabetes, be under the care of an eye doctor (visit at least once a year) • If retinal hemorrhage occurs, get laser treatment quickly—this usually saves sight

22. Low-vision Aids • If you have lost considerable vision from eye disease, don’t lose hope • “Low vision” is 20/200 (with glasses) or worse, but it is not blindness • Go to an optometrist who specializes in low-vision aids • Low-vision aids can help you resume normal activities

23. Types of Low-vision Aids Can be as simple as: • Magnifying glass • Large-print books and clocks • Electronic magnifiers for books and TV • Special eyeglasses to allow driving

24. Why should I see an eye doctor? • Diagnose glaucoma before there is irreversible vision loss • Make sure eyeglasses are correct • Treat cataracts, AMD and diabetic retinopathy in a timely manner

25. When should I see an ophthalmologist oroptometrist? • All seniors, at least every 1- 2 years • More often if you have: • An eye disease • Family history of serious eye disease • Diabetes • An autoimmune disease (like Sjögren’s or MS) that can affect the eye • A sudden change in vision

26. What you can do to keep clear vision for life • Make sure your home is well lit • Keep your eyeglasses up-to-date • See an eye doctor regularly • If you smoke, try to stop • Maintain a healthy weight

27. Be eye smart! It’s largely up to you to maintain your eye health – be proactive!

28. To learn more, visit: • www.lcif.org • www.womenseyehealth.org • www.Schepens.harvard.edu • www.healthyvision2010.org • www.nei.nih.gov/health

29. Presented by:Lions Clubs International Foundationworking in partnership withWomen’s Eye Health.orgto prevent blindness Funded through a Lions Clubs International Foundation SightFirst grant. For more information please visit www.lcif.org and www.womenseyehealth.org.