For the most part they come quietly, like thieves in the night. But these are “thieves” that rob you not of your worldly goods, but of one of your most precious personal possessions – your eyesight. You take precautions against burglars who would break into your home – you install locks, check windows, make sure that mail and papers don’t pile up when you are away. Do you take your eyesight as seriously as you do your material possessions? Simple precautions can prevent much trouble and preserve your eyesight into your older years.

What are some of these “thieves” of our eyesight? Here are a few of the most common ones:

Glaucoma. This is a special risk to everyone over 60, and to African Americans over 40. It is the major cause of blindness among African Americans. Glaucoma results from too much fluid pressure in the eye. In most cases this rise in pressure goes unnoticed until there is loss of peripheral vision. Glaucoma cannot be cured, but treatments exist which can help prevent blindness. It is important it be treated as early as possible.

Macular Degeneration. One form of this disease results in vision changes that usually are not serious. Another, less common form is very serious and can lead to blindness. Symptoms may include visual distortion (a straight line may look crooked), or a blind spot in the center of vision. Laser surgery can help in some cases, but it must be detected and treated early.

Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetes can affect the blood vessels in the eye. This distorts vision, and eventually if the diabetes is uncontrolled, it can lead to blindness. Again, laser surgery can prevent blindness, but it is very important that people with diabetes have yearly eye exams that include dilation of the pupils.

Cataracts. This is a clouding of the lens of the eye. Some cataracts are small and cause little trouble. When vision is seriously affected it usually can be fixed through surgery, which is certainly one of the biggest blessings of modern medicine.

There are other serious eye problems which can develop, such as retinal detachment or corneal diseases. There are also some not so serious age related declines in vision which many people experience, such as the inability to read small print that happens to so many of us around the age of 40, or the appearance of “floaters,” those annoying little specks that come across our field of vision at different times. Reading glasses can fix the first problem. The “floaters” usually are not serious, but they do signal a need to visit an eye specialist to be sure there is no underlying problem, such as retinal detachment. This is especially necessary if the floaters are accompanied by flashes of light.

Costs associated with eye care can be a problem for some. Possible resources include:

Medicare or private insurance may help pay for services related to eye diseases, and for necessary surgery, although it does not pay for routine vision exams or changes in eyeglasses. Your eye doctor will be able to tell you what is covered.

The National Eye Care Project offers some help to United States citizens or legal residents who are 65 and older, in financial need, and who do not have access to eye care. Volunteer ophthalmologists perform eye exams and follow up treatment for conditions discovered during the exam. They will bill Medicare or other insurance, but will waive co-pays if necessary. To find out if you are eligible for this service, and if there is a volunteer ophthalmologist near you, call 1.800.222.3937.

To write this article we used a number of informational resources, and there are many resources which are available to you also. Here are just a few:

The National Society to Prevent Blindness. Free brochures on diseases of the eye, including a “Home Eye Test” designed to help people know if they have an eye problem. Call 1.800.331.2020.

The Lighthouse National Center for Vision and Aging. Informational materials and resource information, including a catalog of products helpful to people with vision problems. Call 1.800.334.5497.

The National Institute on Aging. Information on many topics related to health and aging, including a series of articles called “Age Pages.” The Age Page on “Aging and Your Eyes” was used in developing this article, and can be ordered by calling 1.800.222.2225.

Most importantly, remember that there is no substitute for regular visits to your eye doctor for a dilated pupil eye exam. Early detection is the key to preventing “theft” of your sight, and the reward for stopping this theft can be possession of your eyesight for as long as you live.

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