A recent study found that within the past 10 years the prevalence of eye disease in seniors increased approximately 45%. Thus, senior eye health care has become increasingly vital to maintaining good vision.

Did you know?

• Older drivers with vision impairment are 200% more likely to be involved in an auto accident.
• People over the age of 60 have an increased risk for cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other sight-threatening or visually disabling conditions, as well as other serious health conditions.

Cataract Risk: By age 80, more than half of all Americans develop cataracts, which occur when the lens of the eye become cloudy. Most people with cataracts have it in both eyes, although one eye may be worse than the other. Many people with cataracts don't even realize they have them, so watch for these symptoms:

Presbyopia is a progressive condition that makes reading and doing up-close work, such as sewing, increasingly difficult as eyes age. While it is not sight-threatening, presbyopia can only be properly diagnosed and treated by an eye health professional. If you think your vision may be affected, or you have not had your eye health checked regularly, please make an appointment.

Diabetic Retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes, resulting in broken, leaking or blocked vessels in the retina. Over time, this impairs vision. Nearly half of all people with diabetes have some issues with retinopathy, and the risk increases with age. If you have diabetes or have not had your eye health checked regularly, please make an appointment.

Age-related macular degeneration, which currently affects 1.6 million Americans, primarily affects the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision. It is one of the most common causes of legal blindness and vision impairment in older Americans. If you have macular degeneration or have not had your eye health checked regularly, please make an appointment.

Glaucoma is a disease that causes gradual damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve carries visual information from the eye to the brain. As many as half the people with glaucoma do not know they have it because loss of vision occurs slowly until a significant amount of nerve damage has occurred. Approximately 2.2 million Americans age 40 and older have been diagnosed with glaucoma, and estimates are that another 2 million do not even know they have it! If you have glaucoma, or have not had your eye health checked regularly, please make an appointment.