What are the common eye diseases among middle-aged and elderly people?

Cataracts, glaucoma, and fundus diseases are all common eye diseases among the middle-aged and elderly population, and are also the most common blinding eye diseases in the world. For people in this age group, eye protection is particularly important.

cataract

As we age, our body functions gradually decline, including our eyes. Hua Xia, director of Tianjin University Aier Eye Hospital, said that under normal circumstances, the human lens is transparent, but as we age, the elasticity and transparency of the lens gradually decrease, and its ability to adjust decreases. When the lens becomes cloudy to a certain degree, it will develop into cataracts.

glaucoma

Glaucoma is mainly caused by abnormal increase in intraocular pressure, which causes damage to the optic nerve and visual field. Common symptoms include headache or eye pain, blurred vision, halo (rainbow halos around lights), nausea or vomiting, etc. Another large group of glaucoma patients do not feel any discomfort in the early stage. When they have symptoms, the disease may be close to the late stage, commonly known as: stealing my vision, and regular physical examinations are recommended.

Fundus Disease

Fundus disease may sound unfamiliar to you. It is a general term for a large category of eye diseases. Familiar eye floaters, retinopathy, retinal detachment, etc. are all fundus diseases. The fundus refers to the internal structure of the eyeball from the lens to the back, including the retina, fundus blood vessels, optic nerve head, optic nerve fibers, macula on the retina, and choroid behind the retina.

Diabetes, hypertension, trauma, genetic factors, etc. may all cause fundus lesions. Since the middle-aged and elderly people are often accompanied by systemic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, they are more likely to develop fundus diseases.

How can middle-aged and elderly people protect their eyes scientifically?

Keep a good mood and avoid excessive mood swings. One of the important causes of glaucoma is long-term negative emotional state, such as bad temper, depression, anxiety, panic, etc.

You should have a regular diet and daily life, pay more attention to nutritional balance, avoid a single diet, combine work and rest, ensure good sleep, actively participate in physical exercise, and enhance your resistance.

Pay attention to eye examinations. Patients with metabolic diseases such as diabetes should have regular eye examinations. If other eye diseases are found, they must be treated promptly.

When using your eyes, the light must be sufficient and soft. Do not read under strong light, play with your phone or watch TV in a dark room, and do not overuse your eyes.

Pay attention to sun protection. When doing outdoor activities, try to wear a sun hat or sunglasses to reduce the damage of ultraviolet rays to the lens.