Seeing Clearly with Age: Protecting Your Retinal Health
With age, many parts of the body change, including the eyes and retina. It can be challenging to differentiate between normal age-related vision changes and severe retinal disease. Our vision is so important, but it's easy to take it for granted until something goes wrong. Therefore, it's crucial to understand common retinal diseases associated with aging and to take proactive steps to protect and preserve your sight.
Aging and Retinal Health
The natural aging process can lead to changes in the retina that make it more susceptible to damage and disease. Age is a significant risk factor for the following conditions:
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
As we age, the macula, located at the center of our retinas, which controls our sense of central vision and ability to see in fine detail, can start to deteriorate and lose its functionality. This condition, known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is the most common cause of vision loss in older adults in the US.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Older individuals with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. This condition occurs when too much sugar builds up in the bloodstream, damaging the blood vessels in the eyes. When this happens, they can bleed or leak fluid into the retina, creating scar tissue that can cause blurred vision, floaters, and other symptoms. In severe cases, diabetic retinopathy can lead to permanent vision loss.
Retinal Tears
A retinal tear happens when a small break forms in the retinal tissue, often as a result of posterior vitreous detachment, a common occurrence in most people as they age. PVD causes the vitreous fluid that fills the eye to diminish and lose its viscosity, becoming more watery over time. When this sticky vitreous becomes attached to the retina, it can pull at it as the vitreous shrinks away, causing a tear to form. Retinal tears are a common cause of retinal detachments.
Retinal Detachments
A detachment occurs when the retina is pulled out of place by the receding vitreous gel. A retinal detachment is considered an emergency and can cause permanent vision loss if left untreated for too long.
How to Protect Against Age-Related Vision Changes
While retinal conditions aren’t always preventable, there are steps you can take to protect your vision or preserve remaining eyesight, such as:
- Prioritizing regular eye exams: The sooner a retinal condition is diagnosed and treated, the better your vision outcomes will be.
- Using sun protection: To avoid retinal damage from the sun, wear sunglasses with proper UV protection and a hat with a wide brim when outside.
- Living a healthy lifestyle: A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and regular exercise can help promote retinal health.
- Limiting eye strain: Take regular breaks from screens by following the 20-20-20 rule: look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Also, ensure there is proper lighting when using digital devices.
Schedule an Appointment With a Retina Specialist
Retinal problems, such as AMD, diabetic retinopathy, tears, and detachments, become more common with age. However, the more proactive you are, the better your chances are of maintaining healthy vision. At Palmetto Retina Center, our retina specialists can effectively diagnose and treat retinal disease throughout South Carolina, including Columbia, Orangeburg, Sumter, Florence, and Aiken. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.