The group of older individuals have alterations that are proper eye such as presbyopia, cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration related to age, as well as ocular manifestations of systemic diseases that are prevalent among this age group (Diabetes mellitus, hypertension pressure).
This time we will discuss the first three being the most common in the elderly.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is the progressive difficulty related to age that compromises selectively near vision or reading. This condition occurs in almost all individuals over 45 years of progressively and becomes a high near 65. Visual impairment to close due to a progressive stiffness of the lens which is preventing its deformation for focusing on near objects.
This will limit the breadth of focus of the visual apparatus at the expense of near vision.
Treatment of Presbyopia
The correction of presbyopia is made with lenses or convergent positive force that replace the lens diopters that can not accommodate. These lenses are indicated in the fifth decade of life and should be adjusted to higher values to the extent that the lens loses its ability to accommodate.
The maximum force of presbyopia-correcting lenses usually +3.0 or +3.5 diopters, which is the optical power needed for an eye focused at infinity see sharp achieve the objects at the reading distance. Presbyopia can not be considered a pathology, but rather a natural phenomenon which, over time, affects near vision.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a common disease and is the leading preventable cause of blindness worldwide. Vision loss from glaucoma is permanent and irreversible. However, if the disease is detected early, surgical and medical treatment can prevent progression, emphasizing the need for regular checks on the risk population for early diagnosis and treatment (see the related document).
Cataracts
The lens is a transparent biconvex lens, located behind the iris and anterior vitreous. Allows you to adjust the focus of the retinal image according to the focal length of the observed objects. A cataract is a clouding or opacity in the lens gradually transparent. When it reaches a certain magnitude, it obscures the view to interfere with the orderly passage of light rays that form the image on the retina (see related document).
