Age can bring about changes that affect your eyesight. Some, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts are more serious than others, and that’s why it’s so important to regularly visit your Calgary optometrist, as they can help protect your vision and eye health as you get older.
If you are over the age of 60, it is recommended that you have dilated eye exams yearly. During this appointment, your Calgary optometrist can dilate your pupils and look into the back of your eye. This is important because it’s the only way to detect eye diseases that have no early signs or symptoms. If you have diabetes, it’s important to visit your eye doctor regularly for a diabetic retinal examination to protect yourself against vision loss.
In addition to this, you must visit your optometrist immediately if you experience:
- Sudden vision loss
- Flashes of light
- Eye pain
- Double vision
- Redness or swelling of your eye or eyelid
Our Calgary eye doctors can provide comprehensive eye emergency care for patients of all ages, including children and seniors, to help protect the eyesight and ocular health of every member of your family.
Comprehensive Eye Exams, Diabetic Retinal Examinations, and Eye Emergency Care in Calgary
At our Calgary eye clinic in Sunridge Mall, our eye doctors provide a wide range of vision services to help protect your eyesight as you age, including cataract management, diabetic retinal examinations, and eye emergency care.
Whatever your needs, we can help identify the early signs of eye diseases and provide customized treatment plans to prevent any vision loss and help you maintain optimal eye health.
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CONTACT OUR CALGARY OPTOMETRISTS
4 Eye Problems to Watch Out for as You Age
Your eyes exhibit age-related changes as you age — particularly as you reach your 60s and beyond. While some of these changes, such as presbyopia, are perfectly normal and can be easily corrected, there are more serious age-related eye diseases you must watch out for, as they have the potential to affect your quality of life.
This includes:
1. Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that results in the gradual loss of sight due to the blurring or loss of central vision. This occurs because of deterioration of the macula, a structure in the back of the eye, and can harm your sharp, central vision needed to see objects clearly and do common things, such as driving or reading.
As with many eye diseases, AMD doesn’t display any early symptoms, which is why eye exams are so critical for early detection and prevention of vision loss. Some of the symptoms you may notice as AMD progresses include:
- Dark, blurry areas in the centre of your vision
- Changed or diminished colour perception
- Difficulty performing daily activities, such as reading or driving
- Difficulty recognizing faces
- Straight lines appear distorted
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you must visit your optometrist for an eye exam immediately.
HOW EYE EXAMS HELP PREVENT AMD RELATED VISION LOSS
2. Cataracts
Cataracts refer to cloudy areas in your eye’s lens, causing blurred or hazy vision. For some people, cataracts stay small and don’t change your vision significantly, while for others, cataracts can progress to the point where they reduce vision and affect your quality of life. In such cases, cataract surgery can help restore your eyesight.
Some signs that you might require cataract surgery include:
- Blurry vision is making it hard to perform daily activities
- You are experiencing increased light sensitivity
- Everything has a yellow tint and you find it hard to perceive fine details or distinguish colours
- Your prescription frequently requires an upgrade
Cataracts develop gradually, and over time they may impact your quality of life. When they start to affect your independence or ability to perform daily activities, you should talk to your optometrist about scheduling cataract surgery.
4 SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT CATARACTS
3. Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that attacks the retina. It is contracted by people with diabetes and it can cause vision loss or blindness if left untreated. Because this condition doesn’t typically exhibit symptoms until your eyes have been damaged, seniors with diabetes should schedule regular diabetic retinal examinations with their optometrist.
Here are some diabetic retinopathy signs you should look out for:
- Floaters
- Trouble with night vision
- Shadows or missing parts of your vision
- Blurred vision
- Slow vision loss over time
At Sunridge Eye Clinic, our qualified optometrists can perform comprehensive dilated eye exams to screen for, diagnose, and manage diabetic retinopathy, and help protect your vision as you age.
4 LIFESTYLE TIPS TO LOWER YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
4. Retinal Detachment
Retinal detachments can develop at any age, but they tend to occur more commonly as you get older. It occurs when your retina (the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye) is pulled away from its normal position.
If only a small part of your retina is detached, you might not have any symptoms. However, if the damage is more significant, you may not be able to see as clearly as normal and you may notice other symptoms, such as:
- Flashes of light in one or both eyes
- Many new small dark spots or lines that float across your vision (floaters)
- A dark shadow or ‘curtain’ on the sides or in the middle of your field of vision
A retinal detachment is an eye emergency. If you have any of the above symptoms, you must visit your eye doctor for emergency eye care right away.
We Can Help Protect Your Vision as You Age
To find out more about our eye health services and how our friendly and professional Calgary eye doctors can help protect your eyes and vision as you age, contact us at 403-280-7518 or fill in our online contact form.