Growing older contributes to a number of other eye changes that need to be monitored. These four are most common ones.

Cataract. This clouding of the lens usually devel­ops slowly over many years. You may not notice the cloudiness until it blocks your central line of sight and impairs your vision.

Glaucoma. Over time, the anterior chamber in each eye may become shallower in certain people— those who have small eyes and are farsighted, for example. The narrowing can lead to a blockage in the aqueous humor drainage system near the iris. The resulting fluid backup may lead to a sudden rise in pressure inside the eye that damages the optic nerve, a condition known as closed-angle glaucoma. Left untreated, it can cause blindness.

Another form of glaucoma, called open-angle glaucoma, occurs when pressure builds up gradually in the eye because of a different problem: a slower outflow of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork. As in closed-angle glaucoma, the result­ing buildup of pressure inside the eye can damage the optic nerve, if left untreated, and cause blindness.

Age-related macular degeneration. As the ret­ina ages, it may grow less sensitive to light because of cell loss, a reduced blood supply, or degeneration. The macula is especially prone to deterioration. Age-related macular degeneration is a serious disease that can steal a person’s central vision, making it difficult to read, write, or drive a car.

Diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes is a disease in which the body either doesn’t produce enough insu­lin or doesn’t use it effectively. Insulin normally moves sugar from the blood to the cells for energy. Without it, sugar builds up in the bloodstream and can dam­age blood vessels and organs throughout the body— including the eyes. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when blood vessels that feed the retina leak, leading to reti­nal swelling, or when new blood vessels form, causing bleeding into the retina or retinal detachment. When left untreated over time, this condition can lead to blindness.

Reference: Posted in Harvard Health Publishing (2022), Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/4-serious-age-related-eye-problems (Accessed: 21 October, 2022)