Preserving Vision and Quality of Life as We Age

Have you ever heard your parents or grandparents say, “I think my vision is getting worse, but it’s just because I’m old”? While there are age-related changes that occur in the eye, many are correctable or can be prevented with regular eye exams and early intervention. The most common cause of preventable vision loss in the world is cataracts. Cataracts are the gradual clouding of the lens inside the eye. This occurs to everyone with age, but can happen more rapidly due to certain medications, fluctuating blood sugar levels (diabetes), and also significant or extended exposure to UV light.

Glaucoma is More Than Tunnel Vision

Taking a quick glance through Google images reveals quite a few depictions of what vision is like with glaucoma. Usually a couple of kids or scenery is shown in the middle with darkness surrounding it, otherwise known as “tunnel vision.” While this may be jarring for some, it’s not entirely accurate until an individual reaches end stage glaucoma. What’s more frightening to me is that vision “loss” for the vast majority of glaucoma is just subtle peripheral blur well before dimming or darkness manifests. In fact, it’s so subtle that you would never notice it in everyday life.