Age-related eye disorders can be worsened by poor nutrition, obesity and other illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol and thyroid conditions. Changes in the blood supply that carries vital oxygen and nutrients to the parts of the eye can cause damage or loss of cells in the eye, leading to vision loss and even blindness.
Macular Degeneration Causes Loss of Central Vision
Macular degeneration is a disease of the macular area of the eye’s retina. This area of the eye contains high numbers of cone photoreceptor cells that allows color vision and the ability to see detail. Macular degeneration is not always age-related but is more common in elderly people, particularly women. This eye disease affects the central vision of both eyes, making it difficult to see detail.
A layer of cells and blood vessels that give nourishment to the retina lay immediately below it. In macular degeneration, the connection between these cells and the retina is disrupted for unknown reasons. The loss of nourishment can cause atrophy (shrinking) and damage to the macular region of the retina, which can severely affect vision.
Macular Degeneration Can Cause Gradual or Sudden Vision Problems
There are two known forms of macular degeneration. The most common form is referred to as dry macular degeneration in which the photoreceptor cells in the retina gradually become dry and shrunken.
The wet form of this disease is more serious and rare and is caused by hemorrhages or bleeding in the blood vessels directly below the retina. This form causes a sudden loss of central vision. The good thing is that any form of macular degeneration does not cause complete blindness because only the macular region of the retina is affected.
A Detached Retina Can Cause Blindness
The retina is composed of two separate layers, a pigmented, outer layer and an inner, nerve tissue layer. The inner layer is attached to the outer layer by the optic nerve and ciliary body. The retina itself is not attached to anything else and is held in place by pressure from the vitreous humor (gel-like fluid in the eye).
During aging, the vitreous humor becomes more liquid and shrinks slightly, pulling away from the retina and giving it less support. This can increase the risk of a detached retina in the elderly. A detached retina occurs when the two layers of the retina separate, causing vision problems and can also occur for other reasons such as injuries, accidents and blows to the face or head. Treatment for a detached retina includes surgical reattachment or repair with an ophthalmology laser.
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Reference:
National Eye Institute: Facts About Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Accessed June 22, 2010)
Noreen Kassem - Noreen Kassem is a hospital doctor based in London, UK. She has extensive experience in clinical research and an undergraduate honors ...
