Guide To Common Eye Problems In Seniors And What To Do About Them

Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment is a medical emergency that must be treated immediately or patients could go permanently blind. It occurs when the retina pulls from its normal position in the eye, which leads it to become deprived of oxygen and nutrients. This means the cells start to die. Since the retina is responsible for receiving light signals, the damage could lead to permanent loss of vision. For seniors, the most common type of detachment is rhegmatogenous detachment, and there is no surefire way to prevent this from happening. Having enough nutrients for eye health can be helpful, but it's not a surefire bet.

Treatment for tears nearly always involves some form of surgical repair, and full detachment needs surgery. There are a few different techniques available. A surgeon might inject gas or air into the eye, and they may also indent the surface of the eye during the repair. Another technique is to drain and replace the fluid in the eye during the surgery. The goal is to save as much retinal tissue as possible and prevent permanent vision loss.

Excessive Tearing

Excessive tearing is a common issue as individuals get older. Anybody can experience excessive tearing and watery eyes from time to time. The majority of cases clear up by themselves. However, if an individual's symptoms are bothersome or don't clear up within a few days, their doctor might need to treat them. In many cases, tearing occurs due to injury or irritation to the eye. The best way to prevent this is by wearing protective eye gear and not using potentially harmful substances or cosmetics around the eyes.

Watery eyes might be treated with prescription eye drops. If an individual's eye is infected, they may need to take a course of antibiotics. For those whose symptoms are related to allergies, taking allergy medication may sometimes help. If an individual's tear ducts are blocked, they might be able to help clear them by putting a warm and wet towel over their eyes several times daily. In the most severe cases, there are surgeries available to clear blocked ducts.