Introduction

As we grow older, our sight tends to change naturally, so that almost everyone over the age of 65 needs to wear glasses. Regular eye checks and suitable glasses can increase the chances to your sight remaining good, and there are some practical steps that you can take to help.

Preventing loss of sight

As with many things as we grow older, prevention is better than cure. It's important to get your eyes tested regularly. An eye test is not just a 'glasses' test: it is a vital check on the health of your eyes. Eye diseases can often be detected at an early stage, usually even before you have noticed anything is wrong. Early detection and treatment may stop the eye disease. You should get your eyes tested by an optometrist at least once every two years, and more often if you notice any changes in your vision. In some countries, eye checks are free to older people.

Common eye conditions

There are some eye conditions that can cause people's sight to deteriorate so that they have difficulty seeing even with glasses. Some of the most common such conditions affecting people in later life include:

Cataracts: This is a condition which makes the lens inside the eye cloudy instead of clear. Cataracts can cause vision to seem misty and blurred, especially in strong sunlight. Most cases can be treated easily by surgically replacing the cloudy lens with an artificial one.

Macular Degeneration:This is a condition affecting the macula - a part of the retina at the back of the eye. Macular degeneration affects central vision, making it hard to read and recognize faces.

Glaucoma: This is the name given to a group of conditions involving damage to the optic nerve at the back of the eye, and is caused by raised pressure in the eye, although it has nothing to do with your blood pressure. Glaucoma can lead to 'tunnel vision', but treatment, either with eye drops or surgery, can be very effective if started early. A tendency to glaucoma can be passed on in families.

Diabetic Retinopathy: This is a term used to describe changes at the back of the eye which may cause sight problems for people with diabetes. Vision may become blurred and patchy. Laser treatment is usually used to prevent this condition from getting any worse, while controlling your diabetes can also prevent your sight deteriorating any further.

Serious sight loss

Even with the right glasses or contact lenses, some people still can't see very well. It can be difficult to come to terms with serious sight loss and people often experience a number of emotions including anger, grief and loss. This is a natural reaction, and counseling can sometimes help.

Some eye conditions respond well to treatment, but even if treatment is ineffective or unavailable, there is advice and equipment that can help you make the most of your remaining sight.

Some useful tips

• When buying glasses, make sure that they fit correctly and that they have the correct lenses to reduce your sight problems.
• Keep your glasses clean and protected. Scratched lenses increase the problem of glare and can reduce clear vision.
• Don't rely on ready-made reading glasses which are available in many retail outlets - they should only be used as a short-term solution, as it is rare for both eyes to need exactly the same amount of magnification. Using ready-made glasses is unlikely to harm your sight, but it can sometimes cause eye strain or headaches.
• A healthy eye needs three times as much light at 60 than at 20. Good overall lighting is therefore essential. Keep windows clean, and pull curtains back as far as possible. For reading or close work, make sure that you have direct light from a flexible table lamp, positioned in front of you.
• If you have serious sight loss, there are some practical aids available that can help you to see better. Special magnifiers, which can be held in your hand, have their own stand, or even be built in to your glasses, can help. Reading frames, or tyroscopes, can also help to reduce glare and concentrate your vision on the area of print being read.
• If you use optical aids, remember that you are likely to want to do different things, such as reading, watching television, or reading a bus number, so you may find that you need several different types.
• There are gadgets and equipment, like talking watches or talking kitchen scales, which can help you to lead an independent life if you have problems with your sight.

This Tip of the Month is a service sponsored by Help the Aged (see first link below).