Common eye disorders in the elderly — a short review

As the eye ages, certain changes occur that may affect vision. Presbyopia is corrected by the use of reading glasses. Cataracts are common and vision can be restored following a reasonably simple operation. Visual loss due to glaucoma can be minimised by early detection and treatment, but once visio...

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Main Author: L. Visser
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2006-08-01
Series:South African Family Practice
Subjects:
Online Access:https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/645
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author L. Visser
author_facet L. Visser
author_sort L. Visser
collection DOAJ
description As the eye ages, certain changes occur that may affect vision. Presbyopia is corrected by the use of reading glasses. Cataracts are common and vision can be restored following a reasonably simple operation. Visual loss due to glaucoma can be minimised by early detection and treatment, but once vision has been lost it cannot be recovered. Much research is being done on the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, but this currently remains the main cause of irreversible loss of vision in the elderly. Results of macular hole surgery are improving due to improved surgical techniques and better diagnostic equipment (Optical Coherence Tomography). Underlying vascular disease (systemic hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, vasculitis) is usually present in patients with retinal artery occlusion, retinal vein occlusion or anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy.
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series South African Family Practice
spelling doaj-art-fb2e01d4e02f426ea4fadd7d4bdf34972025-08-20T03:46:57ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042006-08-01487343810.1080/20786204.2006.10873425585Common eye disorders in the elderly — a short reviewL. Visser0University of KwaZulu-NatalAs the eye ages, certain changes occur that may affect vision. Presbyopia is corrected by the use of reading glasses. Cataracts are common and vision can be restored following a reasonably simple operation. Visual loss due to glaucoma can be minimised by early detection and treatment, but once vision has been lost it cannot be recovered. Much research is being done on the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, but this currently remains the main cause of irreversible loss of vision in the elderly. Results of macular hole surgery are improving due to improved surgical techniques and better diagnostic equipment (Optical Coherence Tomography). Underlying vascular disease (systemic hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, vasculitis) is usually present in patients with retinal artery occlusion, retinal vein occlusion or anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/645eye disorderselderly
spellingShingle L. Visser
Common eye disorders in the elderly — a short review
South African Family Practice
eye disorders
elderly
title Common eye disorders in the elderly — a short review
title_full Common eye disorders in the elderly — a short review
title_fullStr Common eye disorders in the elderly — a short review
title_full_unstemmed Common eye disorders in the elderly — a short review
title_short Common eye disorders in the elderly — a short review
title_sort common eye disorders in the elderly a short review
topic eye disorders
elderly
url https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/645
work_keys_str_mv AT lvisser commoneyedisordersintheelderlyashortreview