The 5 Most Common Age-Related Eye Diseases (And How to Keep Them Healthy!)

We won’t sugarcoat it―aging is hard. Sure, it has a lot of perks. But it also brings a lot of changes. Sometimes, the changes are emotional. More often than not, however, they’re physical. Our bodies start to decay and break down. We wake up in the morning with stiff joints and a twinge in our shoulder that never seems to go away, no matter how much Tylenol we take. Our eyes are no exception to age-related changes. In fact, approximately one in three Americans experiences eye problems by the age of sixty-five. Left untreated, some age-related eye diseases can lead to vision loss and even blindness. So, how can you protect your peepers and keep them healthy? And what are the 5 most common age-related eye diseases?

1. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Did you know that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss in people over the age of 50? Worse still, it affects over 20 million Americans! This condition targets the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. Symptoms of AMD include:

• Blurriness
• Dark spots
• Loss of central vision
• Distortion of straight lines or objects

While experts don’t fully understand the causes of AMD, risk factors include age, genetics, smoking, and poor diet. You might also be at a higher risk for AMD if you’re Caucasian. You should also know that there are two types of AMD: dry and wet. Dry AMD accounts for 90% of cases and progresses slowly (according to Bright Focus). Meanwhile, wet AMD is more severe and fast-acting. 90% of wet AMD cases result in legal blindness, which is why it’s important to catch (and diagnose) dry AMD. Dry AMD is always the precursor of wet AMD. Sadly, AMD has no cure. However, the FDA approved a drug called pegcetacoplan in 2023. This groundbreaking new treatment may treat geographic atrophy, an advanced form of AMD.

2. Cataracts

Have you ever gotten something in your eye, like sunscreen or sweat? Not only does it sting, but it makes your vision kind of blurry, almost like you’re looking through a film. For over half of Americans aged 80 and older, this is an everyday reality. Cataracts are a clouding of the eye’s natural lens. While mostly age-related, other factors like smoking, too much sun exposure, and even certain medications can also cause cataracts. Symptoms of this condition may include:

• Cloudy or blurry vision
• Difficulty seeing at night or in low light
• Sensitivity to glare
• Double vision in one eye
• Perceiving “halos” around lights

The good news is, you can do things to prevent cataracts! For example, obesity and smoking can lead to cataracts, so try to lose weight and do whatever you can to kick your cigarette habit to the curb. Also, wear sunglasses outdoors, as getting too much sun can also cause cataracts! If you’re experiencing blurry vision or sudden eye changes, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor sooner rather than later. Remember, prevention is better than the cure!

3. Glaucoma

Glaucoma isn’t just one disease. Rather, it’s an umbrella term that refers to a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve (according to the Cleveland Clinic). The most common type is primary open-angle glaucoma, which happens when the eye’s drainage system becomes clogged, increasing eye pressure. Other risk factors include age, family history, and even your ethnicity. While symptoms often don’t appear until it’s too late, regular eye exams can help you detect glaucoma early! Treatment options may include eye drops, medication, or surgery.

Symptoms of glaucoma vary depending on the type you have and how far it’s progressed.

Open-angle glaucoma

• No symptoms in the early stages.
• Patchy blind spots begin to develop in your peripheral vision.
• As the disease progresses, you may struggle to see things centrally.
• You might miss stairs or struggle to read road signs, even during the day.

Acute angle-closure glaucoma

• Severe eye pain with headaches.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Blurred vision.
• Eye redness.
• Halos (colored rings) around lights.

Normal-tension glaucoma

• No symptoms in the early stages.
• Blurred vision.
• Loss of peripheral vision.

Pigmentary glaucoma

• Halos around lights.
• Blurred vision and gradual loss of side vision.

4. Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes can cause a lot of damage to our bodies, including our eyes. Sadly, diabetic retinopathy may cause vision loss and blindness in people with diabetes. High levels of blood sugar can wreak havoc on the blood vessels, making them leak fluid or even bleed. Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:

• Blurred vision
• Floaters
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Dark spots in vision

Keeping your blood sugar in check can help prevent diabetic retinopathy. And don’t forget to schedule regular eye exams!

5. Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears. It can also happen when the tears evaporate too quickly or when your body produces poor-quality tears. Symptoms, which usually affect both eyes, include:

• Dryness
• Redness
• Irritation
• Sensitivity to light
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

This condition is more common in women and people over the age of 50. Some of the causes of dry eye syndrome include aging, certain medications, and health conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome. To prevent dry eye syndrome, avoid blowing air toward your eyes and take periodic breaks when you’re reading or using your computer. Also, if you already have dry eyes, use eye drops to lubricate them!

Tips on Keeping Your Eyes Healthy!

1. Eat a healthy diet.

We all know that a well-balanced diet can keep our bodies healthy, and that includes our eyes! A diet rich in nutrients, fatty acids, and vitamins can keep your eyes in tip-top shape and ward off age-related eye diseases. To boost your eye health, eat lots of:

• Broccoli
• Leafy greens, such as spinach and kale
• Salmon
• Eggs,
• Nuts
• Oranges, nectarines, and other citrus fruits
• Zinc-rich foods, such as oysters and yogurts

2. Exercise!

Exercise can help us stay trim and even give us the muscles we want! But did you know that a good workout can actually benefit your eyes? According to WebMD, regular exercise can boost tissue healing and reduce oxidative stress. Being overweight raises your chances of developing type 2 diabetes, which is the leading cause of blindness in adults. So, grab your favorite pair of sneakers and hit the gym (or the nearest walking trail). It doesn’t matter where you go, as long as you keep moving!

3. Quit smoking.

Tobacco is bad for our lungs, but it also happens to be bad for our eyes. In fact, it can increase your risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts. While kicking cigarettes to the curb is hard, especially for long-time smokers, it’s not impossible. To quit smoking, try and replace your bad habits with good ones. Get an accountability partner and remove triggers. Do whatever you can to stop smoking so your eyes can be healthy and disease-free!

4. Wear sunglasses.

UV rays certainly are no respecter of persons…or their eyes. In fact, they’re incredibly damaging, even on cloudy days. Therefore, always have a pair of sunglasses on hand. They don’t have to be stylish or expensive, as long as they promise to block 100% of UV rays and offer UV400 protection. Keep a pair in your car or purse so you can always wear them outside. Your eyes will thank you!

5. Protect your eyes from blue light.

Everyone, even retirees, spends hours upon hours staring at screens. Phone screens, computer screens, TV screens, you name it. What do these screens have in common aside from the obvious? They all emit blue light, which is damaging to our eyes. Staring too long at screens has a slew of health consequences, including raising your risk of developing macular degeneration and eye strain. Try to limit screen time or invest in some blue light glasses. And make sure you give your eyes a break every 20 minutes or so, too!

6. Take care of your contacts.

If you’re a contact wearer, you might have the habit of popping them in your eyes in the morning without a second thought. Or maybe you’ve been guilty of wearing them past their prime. Whatever the case, you’ve probably not always taken care of your contacts the way you should. Unfortunately, wearing old contacts or neglecting to wash your hands before you handle them can hurt your eyes. It can even lead to serious infections! So, take proper care of your contacts and, in turn, your eyes.

7. Remove makeup before bed.

Raise your hand if you’ve ever flopped into bed with a full face of makeup. If your hand is raised, I’ve got bad news. Sleeping with eye makeup is a major no-no for your eyes. Not only can it irritate your eyelashes and eyelids, but it can also lead to infections. No matter how sleepy you are, remove your makeup before you go to bed. Buy some makeup wipes or makeup remover. And don’t forget that makeup has an expiration date, too! Throw out old makeup and wash your brushes regularly.

Takeaway

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