March 1998
Eye
Diseases by Richard
Abrahamson Opthamologist with The Jewish Hospital |
| Try to
imagine living without the use of your most precious sense--VISION. |
Try to imagine living without the use
of your most precious sense--VISION. Many people take their sense of sight for granted;
but millions of Americans must literally live their daily lives without it. As we live
longer, the reality exists that each of us may be faced with a potentially blinding
disease during our lifetime.
Some of the more common eye diseases in older adults are:
Cataract, a clouding of the normally transparent crystalline lens inside the eye,
causing a dimming or blurring of vision. Cataract surgery, both quick and painless, is
usually very successful, restoring vision and allowing patients to resume their normal
activity within a matter of days.
Macular
Degeneration, a premature aging of the sensitive nerve tissue in the back of the eye,
causes a loss of central vision, though not blindness. In some cases, early diagnosis and
treatment may prevent some of the severe complications of this disease.
Glaucoma, a disease
causing asymptomatic visual loss through an increased pressure inside the eye, causes
peripheral vision to deteriorate. Early detection is needed to allow treatment with
medication and/or laser surgery.
Dry Eye Syndrome is
the most common ocular disorder affecting the elderly population, as the glands producing
the eye’s lubricating fluids become less functional. Fifty percent of patients over
50 years old have significantly deficient tear production, which causes symptoms of
burning, tearing, and irritation, as well as lid infections. A new and simple treatment
corrects this condition.
Diabetes affects the
small vessels in the back of the eye. Changes caused by diabetes produce bleeding and the
release of fluid into the sensitive nerve tissue, resulting in significant visual loss.
Early detection and treatment with lasers can prevent some of the disabling effects of
this disease.
 A thorough
opthalmological examination can detect the early signs of most ocular abnormalities. With
proper diagnosis and treatment, most eye diseases can be controlled and prevented from
developing their devastating effects.
SeniorCare Preferred offers a variety of
educational programs -- including exercise programs -- and trips throughout the year. For
more information on upcoming programs, click here
or call our Hotline at (513) 584-1982.
|
Contact Us:
Senior
Care Preferred
1-513-585-6462
. |
