Here at Broberg Eye Care, we think it’s important to tailor treatments to the age of our patients. Age plays such a major factor in the development or prevalence of many eye conditions. By consider the age of our patient base in Austin, we can better diagnose and treat different eye conditions.

With this in mind, we’d like to go over some common eye problems we see each day and provide some insight into the ages at which these issues tend to arise.

Refractive Errors

Refractive errors refer to common issues with the vision caused by the improper passage of light through the eyes. The light simply does not focus properly on the retinas, the light-sensitive tissue located at the back of the eyes. This leads to the following issues:

  • Myopia (Nearsightedness)
  • Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
  • Astigmatism

Refractive errors are often detected during childhood. In many cases, the person’s vision stabilizes in their twenties.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a type of age-related farsightedness that is a natural part of the aging process. It’s caused by the hardening of the lens of the eyes. Presbyopia tends to begin starting in a person’s forties, getting worse as a person gets older. Presbyopia is unavoidable but easily treated through surgical and non-surgical means.

Cataracts

Cataracts refer to the clouding of the naturally clear lens of the eye. When cataracts form, it’s usually in response to long-term UV ray exposure, injuries, and use of certain medications. In rare cases, cataracts may be present from birth, though in most cases, people tend to develop cataracts in middle age and their golden years. Treatments for cataracts can vary depending on the amount of vision loss experienced.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition in which the optic nerve is harmed by excessive pressure inside of the eyes. This can lead to permanent and irreversible vision loss. There is a very rare form of congenital glaucoma a person may suffer from, though people are most likely to develop glaucoma during middle age, with risks increasing as a person gets older.

Macular Degeneration

The macula is the central portion of the retina. Macular degeneration (also known as age-related macular degeneration or AMD) refers to the gradual breakdown of the macula over time. There are two kinds of macular degeneration: dry AMD (approximately 80 percent of all cases) and wet AMD (less common, though much more severe).

Symptoms of macular degeneration usually start to show up during a person’s fifties, with further issues with advanced age. Early detection can help reduce the amount of vision loss experienced.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye simply means the lack of moisture in the eyes, which may be the result of poor tear composition, tear duct issues, or a wide array of environmental factors. Around half of the American adult population suffers from some form of dry eye. Age can make dry eye more likely, with dry eye becoming more of an issue when people reach their fifties.

Learn More About Vision Conditions

If you would like additional information about eye care, your vision, and how age impacts your eyesight, be sure to contact our team of vision specialists today. We will go over prevention, treatments, and other topics pertinent to your eyes and your general wellness.