In large part, our senses connect us to the world and from them we receive information. But as we age, our senses lose their acuity, especially our eyesight. Sight provides much pleasure, but it's also an important part of staying safe and independent.

As we get older, we may have a harder time reading small print, take longer to adjust from light to dark and be more sensitive to bright lights. A loss of depth perception could make it harder to judge distances, and perceiving contrasts and colours may become more difficult.

There's no doubt senior citizens are more prone than younger people to chronic eye disorders such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration.

Cataracts are a leading cause of vision loss among adults 55 and older. In fact, more than half the people over age 65 have some degree of cataract development. Certain diseases, such as uveitis (inflammation inside the eye), exposure to ultraviolet radiation (like that from the sun) and infrared rays and even poor nutrition may cause cataracts to develop earlier and progress faster. Surgery is the only way your eye doctor can remove a cataract.

University of Ottawa Eye Institute

Glaucoma is an eye disease caused by increased pressure within the eye, destroying the nerve fibres within the retina. It is one of the most common causes of blindness and affects 1 in 100 Canadians over age 40. It is nicknamed the "silent thief," and only regular opthalmological checkups can spot it in its early, treatable stages.

The Canadian National Institute for the Blind

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that occurs when the macula (the central part of the retina responsible for sharp vision) is damaged. This damage can be the result of many factors, including aging, and causes permanent loss of central vision.

Aside from cessation of smoking and a healthy diet of dark green leafy vegetables and fruits supplemented by zinc and anti-oxidant vitamins (Vitamins E, C, and beta carotene), very little is currently available to help patients with "dry" AMD to prevent progression to more serious stages of debilitating disease.

AMD Alliance International

Other common changes that come with age are:

Presbyopia is the inability to focus on close objects or small print. Reading glasses usually solve the problem. The usual age of onset is 40.

Floaters are tiny spots or specks that float across the field of vision, that are often normal. If a floater appears right in your line of vision, sometimes moving your eye around will make it shift out of your central vision. A sudden change in the number or types of spots you see, or if they come with light flashes, may be signs of a serious problem.

Dry eyes The eyes may feel gritty, itchy or burn. Your doctor may suggest using a humidifier in your home, or special eye drops that act as tears. In a few serious cases, surgery may be needed to correct the problem.

Tearing (watery eyes) could appear because you are more sensitive to light, wind or changes in temperature. Shielding your eyes or wearing sunglasses may solve the problem. The condition can also be a result of an eye infection, eye irritation or blocked tear duct, all of which can be appropriately treated.

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye problem linked to diabetes. Changes to blood vessels can cause the retina to become oxygen starved. Symptoms include cloudy vision and seeing spots and can result in blindness. Treatment can slow down vision loss.
Source: Public Health Agency of Canada

So, make sure to get your annual eye exam. Finding problems early may make the difference between maintaining good vision and vision loss. There are few things more debilitating than loss of independence.