Adult Vision Health: 60 Years and Older
Over the course of our lifetime, our vision changes naturally. Nearly everyone experiences these changes in their vision as they get older.
Some of these changes include needing more light to see, difficulty in focusing on near objects, and difficulty adjusting to darkness and glare.
The Natural Changes in our Eyes
As adults age, the eyes also begin to experience changes. The lens inside the eye can lose its flexibility over time, which causes it to harden. Over the course of a lifetime, the lens can also become cloudy. The tiny muscles that control the pupil’s size can also start to weaken.
These changes can cause older adults to have trouble seeing up close or far away, difficulty seeing at night, trouble distinguishing between certain colors, and needing more light to comfortably read or see. As a result, receiving yearly dilated eye exams is essential to getting any growing concerns treated and to be checked for eye diseases as we age.
Medicare and Vision Care
Medicare does offer resources to help people keep their eyes healthy. When a person first enrolls in Medicare, they will have the benefit of a ‘Welcome to Medicare Visit.’ This covers a vision screening from the client’s primary care physician and a referral to further vision care if a vision concern is detected. Individuals with Medicare who are at risk for glaucoma are eligible for a covered yearly eye exam.
Those diagnosed with diabetes can receive a yearly eye exam for diabetes-related retinopathy at no additional cost. Additionally, Medicare Part B may cover certain diagnostic tests and treatments for individuals with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Common Vision Conditions
Definition: Glaucoma is a group of diseases that are closely related to increased pressure in the eye. This increased pressure can result in damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma is also known as the “Silent Thief of Sight” because often there are no symptoms until permanent vision loss is experienced.
Glaucoma treatment: There are various treatment options for glaucoma. The most common treatment for glaucoma are medications like eye drops or pills. These medications help reduce the pressure in the eye by lowering the amount of fluid produced by the eye or helping the fluid flow out of the eye.
Definition: Diabetes-related retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the retina. This damage occurs when blood sugar levels fluctuate, which can weaken the blood vessels. In advanced stages of retinopathy, abnormal blood vessels begin to form.
Diabetes-related retinopathy treatment: There are various treatments for diabetes-related retinopathy. Treatment options include laser surgery, anti-VEGF injections, and a vitrectomy.
Definition: Diabetes-related macular edema is caused by the macula swelling, which makes it impossible to focus clearly. About 10% of people with diabetes-related retinopathy will develop diabetes-related macular edema.
Definition: There are two types of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The most common form, Dry AMD, is caused when small protein deposits (drusen) form on the macula. Wet AMD, a more serious and rare form, occurs when abnormal blood vessels form on the macula. Both types of AMD can lead to permanent vision loss, however, Wet AMD causes vision loss more quickly.
AMD treatment: AREDS 2 formula can be used to treat dry AMD. Wet AMD treatment options include anti-VEGF drug injections and laser surgery.
Definition: A cataract is caused when the lens of the eye, which is normally clear/transparent, becomes cloudy. This causes the lens to focus light poorly on the retina instead of sharply, which results in blurry or cloudy vision.
Cataract treatment: The only treatment for a cataract is cataract removal surgery. Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Cataract surgery can increase the risk of retinal detachment in adults.
Additional Vision Resources
Additional Resources:
Vision Care Voucher Program Information
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