Every year more than 60,000 people in North America become blind due to an eye disorder or eye disease. The majority of these new cases are caused by age-related eye disease; however some cases do involve younger patients. Many eye diseases are manageable, treatable or controllable if caught early, making it extremely important for people over the age of 50 to have regular eye exams to ensure that their eyes are functioning properly.
The three major causes of blindness in North America are:
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1.Macular Degeneration;
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2.Cataracts; and
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3.Glaucoma.
Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of vision impairment and vision loss in North Americans over the age of 60. It is a disease which destroys the sharp centre vision, which we use on a daily basis for activities such as reading, driving, watching television, using a computer, recognizing people and essentially every other task requiring eye sight. Macular degeneration affects the macula and, depending on the patient, can progress at varying speeds ranging from very slow to very fast. There are two forms of macular degeneration, known as dry and wet. The dry version of the disease accounts for over 90 per cent of all cases and involves the breakdown of light sensitive cells in the eye, resulting in blurred vision. The dry version is less severe than the wet version and can be managed with the use of custom nutritional supplements containing lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin. The wet version of the disease involves the growth of blood vessels under the macula that routinely allow liquid and blood into the delicate tissue, causing permanent scarring and ultimately leading to vision loss. There is no cure for macular degeneration.
Cataracts are very common in older people and currently affect more than 22 million Americans. Worldwide, cataracts are responsible for the majority of cases of blindness. By age 80, more than half of all North Americans will have a cataract or will have had cataract surgery. Symptoms of the disorder include blurry vision, faded colours, glare, poor night vision, double vision and requiring updated eyewear often. Cataract surgery is relatively safe and has become a routine practice. During the surgery, the cloudy lens of the eye is removed and replaced with a new artificial lens. Exposure to bright lights, sunlight and glare often leads to a higher chance of developing cataracts, which is why experts advise people to wear hats and protective sunglasses at all times.
Glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve and, if left untreated, can result in blindness. The eye is filled with fluid and as we age the pressure of this fluid increases. If the pressure becomes too much, the eyes slowly rise, damaging the optic nerve. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in Hispanic and African Americans, being almost three times higher than in Caucasian people. Glaucoma often does not have any warning symptoms until damage has already begun, however a regular eye exam will detect the disease. In order to protect the eye, it is advised that people over the age of 40 have routine eye exams every two years. There is no cure for glaucoma, however there are eye drops and surgery options that can assist in controlling and slowing the progression of the disorder. Early diagnosis is important to the success of these options.