What are the Most Common Age-Related Eye Problems?

Most people know to expect some changes in their vision as they get older. Presbyopia, which makes it harder to see close-up, affects everyone eventually. Fortunately, you can correct this vision change with eyeglasses. 

But needing readers isn’t the only age-related eye issue. As you get older, your risk of certain conditions increases. Fortunately, with complete eye care, Hilla Steinberg, MD, can monitor your eyes for common conditions from our office on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City. This way, if you do start to experience an age-related eye problem, she can work with you to proactively defend your vision.

Dr. Steinberg has extensive experience defending against a range of ocular issues. Today, though, we want to focus on three age-related conditions she commonly treats. 

#1: Cataracts

Cataracts develop when the proteins in your eye start to break down and clump together. This causes the lens of your eye to cloud, blurring your vision. 

This age-related eye problem is extremely common. By age 80, half of Americans either have cataracts or have had them removed. 

Dr. Steinberg specializes in cataract removal surgery. If the lens in one or both of your eyes is affected by this issue, she can remove it and replace it with an artificial lens that restores your clear vision. 

#2: Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness that affects about 3 million Americans. 

In its early stages, the most common form of glaucoma (open-angle glaucoma) doesn't cause any symptoms. That’s a problem because glaucoma is a progressive disease, and there’s currently no way to reverse the damage it causes. That means the faster you catch it and slow it down, the better you can protect your vision.

Dr. Steinberg offers glaucoma screening. If she does detect this condition — marked by heightened pressure in your eye — she helps you find a way to bring that pressure down to protect your eye. That might mean medicated eye drops or laser surgery to improve the drainage in your eye. 

Early glaucoma care is the key to protecting your ability to see through the years. 

#3: Age-related macular degeneration

As you get older, the arteries that supply your retina with blood can harden. This limits the nutrients they provide, which can harm your retina. Specifically, it can cause the macula — the part of your retina that gives you clear central vision — to weaken. More than 12% of Americans are living with this threat to their vision. 

With medication and/or laser therapy, Dr. Steinberg can help you protect your retina. As an expert in retinal care, she helps patients with AMD defend against vision loss. 

Don’t let common eye conditions rob you of your ability to see clearly throughout your life. For complete eye care and help defending against these conditions, call our office or book an appointment online today.