What Eye Diseases Are More Likely to Occur as People Age?
In addition to the age-related vision changes that occur for most older adults, some people will experience eye diseases. Two common diseases that can be bothersome and might lead to vision impairment are: • Dry eyes. Someone may complain of scratchy, irritated eyes. This can be due to reduced or irregular tear production that keeps the surface of the eye (cornea) lubricated. Sometimes, too many tears are produced at the same time causing them to spill over the eyelids. After diagnosis by an eye care provider, this is usually treated with artificial tears or ointments. • Blepharitis. Red, itchy eyelids are usually a sign of this condition. An eye care specialist may recommend medication or special cleansing of the eyelids to treat this condition. Rubbing of the eyes to relieve itching may lead to the development of keratoconus, a serious disease of the cornea. Blepharitis is a common occurrence in people with Down syndrome.
