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Getting your eyes checked once a year prevents blindness
From the age of forty onwards you should get your eyes checked once a year. This helps to detect and prevent conditions which could cause blindness. One such is glaucoma, a degenerative desease of the optic nerve, affecting about 5% of the population. In every routine examination the ophthalmologist checks the eyes for pathological changes.
Many of us are not aware of visual deficiencies. Gradual changes in our visual system are not noticed at once since good central vision is often preserved. Therefore the eye doctor will check your visual acuity, the anterior and posterior segment, the visual field, and examine the optic nerve and intraocular pressure.
Sudden changes in vision may indicate serious diseases
A sudden reduction in vision could be an indicator of diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure, both conditions that may need medical intervention. Therefore, it is not sufficient just to order a new pair of glasses at the opticians.
Every change in visual acuity should be checked by an ophthalmologist because even a seeming “improvement” in vision (e.g. reduction in strength of lenses required) could indicate the onset of a disease.
The most important eye conditions which develop with age:
Cataracts
Cataract begin with development of opacity in the crystalline lens. This opacity can increase and lead to a complete loss of vision. First signs of a cataract can be sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and possibly monocular double-vision (which can interfere dangerously with driving ability).
The cataract can be removed by an operation and replaced with a clear new lens of the appropriate strength. Pre-existing short- or long-sightness can be easily corrected at this point.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a degenerative disease of the optic nerve, which connects the eye and the brain. Loss of fibres is irreversible. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of (preventable) blindness in the world. It affects between 2 and 10% of the population (in Germany alone over one million people are affected by it, of whom 20,000 have gone blind).
Glaucoma is so dangerous because we do not notice its painless onset. Perphferal visual field defects are usually not noticed until severe damage has already occurred. If detected early, glaucoma can be controlled and further damage to sight can be prevented.
Age-related macula degeneration (ARMD)
Age-related macula degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of deterioration of sight with loss of reading ability in the western world. Each year about 300,000 new cases are diagnosed. ARMD leads to a destruction of retinal nerve cells. Radiation of the retina, laser therapy or medication can successfully treat ARMD at specific stages.
Presbyopia
With increasing age the eye lens loses its elasticity. Therefore it becomes increasingly difficult to focus near objects. Small print can only be read with difficulty or with the aid of reading glasses. When using computers, if the lenses are not strong enough, presbiopia can lead to blurred vision and symptoms such as „dry eyes“ or headaches.
The tear film protects the ocular surface from drying out. Because of a chronic inflammation of the lachrymal gland, mostly in older people, the tear film is not sufficient to lubricate the eye. This leads to pathological changes in the cornea and conjunctiva. Increasing age, and hormonal changes (in the menopause) can aggravate the condition. Typical symptoms are dryness of the eyes, itchy burning eyes, sticky eyelids in the morning, sensitivity to light and epiphora. Modern drugs can ameliorate the condition.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas leading to unnaturally high blood sugar levels. This affects the small blood vessels in the retina which close up, leading to retinal damage. Diabetic retinopathy can be diagnosed in about two thirds of diabetics after a period of 10 to 15 years. Non-diagnosis and non-treatment can lead to blindness. With regular examination of the eye, the doctor can take measures to prevent further sight loss. Only regular check-ups can help to detect diabetes-related sight problems and to treat them.
Floaters
Floaters (“moscas” in Spanish) consist of parts of the gel inside the eye (vitreous humour) moving about. The moving vitreous can pull on the retina and detach it. Retinal damage must be ruled out by the ophthalmologist if floaters appear or suddenly change in their appearance.
Children should be screened annually for visual problems
80% of all information is received via the eye. Good vision is therefore essential for proper physical development and educational progress in growing children. Research has shown that approximately 20% of our children have some form of visual defect. The American and British Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, recommend timely screening for the early detection of eye and vision problems in children. This examination should include tests for visual acuity, ocular motility, three- dimensional vision, colour vision, examination of the anterior and posterior segment and the refraction of the eyes.
Getting your eyes checked once a year prevents blindness
Hospital del Mar y de la Esperanza, Barcelona (University Hospital)
Private Practice: Carrer del Mercat 18, 08960 Sant Just Desvern
Also: in conjunction with Till Anschütz, MD (Refractive Laser Surgery):
Passeig de Gracia 8-10, 08007 Barcelona
Tel.: 93 302 68 02/ 93 372 5505 Emergencies: 650 92 22 41