Do seniors over 65 years old require annual eye examinations?

Yes! It is important for people over 65 years old to have annual eye exams because change can happen quickly. The three most common age related eye problems for seniors are cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. 

Developing a cataract is as common as getting wrinkles or grey hair. The lens that sits behind the pupil begins to lose its clarity causing a shift in prescription or symptoms of glare/ starbursts at night. Your optometrist will monitor the progression of the cataract to know when to consider referral for cataract surgery. 

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases which lead to progressive degeneration of the optic nerve. When glaucoma is detected, it is treated with medication/drops, a referral for laser or surgical intervention to slow the progression of irreversible vision loss. 

Age-related macular degeneration affects the area in the back of the eye that allows for central, detailed 

vision. There are some actions to help slow progression such as smoking cessation, eating dark leafy green vegetables, eye vitamins and protecting the eyes from UV with sunglasses. 

Ocular diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration can lead to vision impairment and affect activities of daily living. Visit your optometrist regularly to manage your eye health and vision care. For more information visit www.opto.ca search vision and aging.