Caring for the Eyes During the Senior Years in Wichita, KS

As you age, your medical needs change. This applies to your eyes at least as much as it does to the rest of your body, so it's important to adjust eye care with advancing years. Here are a few eye-related things you should pay special attention to as a senior citizen:

Senior Eye Exams

Certain eye problems are highly correlated with age, so you should be sure that your optometrist in Wichita gives you an exam that looks for these issues. Be alert to signs of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. If you have cataracts, surgery can preserve or restore your ability to drive a car and do many other normal daily activities.

Age-related macular degeneration can be slowed or stopped with medication or surgery, depending on the type, but it must be spotted early to prevent serious vision loss. Therefore, you should be sure to be examined frequently to be sure that it doesn't creep up on you.

Our doctors will also check for several other problems. These checks are done for people of all ages but are especially important during your senior years. Expect to be tested for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and common refractive errors (difficulty focusing) as well as for issues that are more directly related to age.

Glare Reduction

One of the big reasons that senior citizens are reluctant to drive at night is that their eyes are more sensitive to glare. If you've found yourself bothered by the glare of streetlights and headlights, see your optometrist about getting glasses with anti-glare coatings. Since streetlights often emit blue light, which is hard on the eyes, ask about adding protection against that as well.

Treatment for Dry or Irritated Eyes

Many seniors have an overabundance of mites living in the follicles of the eyelashes. During earlier years, these usually don't cause problems – but as we age, their numbers grow until they can become irritating to the eyelids. This, in turn, can irritate the eyes and tear glands. Other issues can interfere with tear production, as well. Treatment will reduce the discomfort and make everyday life more pleasant.

Contact Us Today

To learn more about taking care of your eyes during your golden years, contact us here at Wichita Optometry in Wichita, KS. We'll be glad to help you maintain healthy vision throughout all of the stages of your life.