7 Ways Your Eyes Change as You Get Older

As you get older you may notice that your eyes are both looking and functioning differently. These age-related changes are a common part of the aging process.  If you are wondering what to expect from your eyes as you get older, then this article is for you. Here, the expert team at Wiles Eye Center discusses seven ways your eyes change as you get older.

1. Presbyopia

Presbyopia is the age-related loss of near vision. It occurs due to a loss of the eye’s lens flexibility. A common symptom of presbyopia that people notice is the need to hold reading material at arm’s length because their vision is blurred at normal reading distance.

2. Cataracts

Normally your eye’s lens is clear. However, as you age the proteins in the lens begin to break down. When the proteins clump together this can cause cloudiness of the lens called a cataract. Age-related cataracts can begin to develop when a person is in their 40s or 50s.

Cataracts are a leading cause of vision loss and blindness. While cataracts may be a natural consequence of aging, they can be removed via cataract removal surgery.

3. Age-Related Eye Diseases

There are a number of eye diseases that become more common as a person ages. These diseases can change your eyes and impact your vision. Some of the most common diseases that can occur as you get older include the following:

• Age-related macular degeneration
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Glaucoma

4. Decreased Color Vision

The retina is responsible for color vision. As a person ages, the cells that are responsible for color vision can deteriorate. This can impact your color vision. Over time you may notice that colors are less bright and that you are less able to distinguish between colors.

5. Dry Eye

As a person ages, the quantity and the quality of their tears can decline. This can lead to dry eye. Dry eye is especially common among those over the age of 50. If you are experiencing dry eye, you should explore your dry eye treatment options.

6. Reduced Pupil Size

Aging can impact the size of a person’s pupil. As a person ages, it is common for muscles to lose strength. This includes the muscles that control the pupil size. This can make the pupils smaller and less responsive to light changes.

7. Droopy Eyelids

Ptosis is a condition where one or both eyelids droop. This can interfere with vision and the appearance of the eyes. A common treatment for droopy eyelids is eyelid surgery.

Schedule an Eye Exam

As you age it is important to schedule regular eye exams. Schedule your eye exam today by contacting Wiles Eye Center. Fill out our online contact form or call our St. Joseph, Missouri office at (816) 279-7015 or our Kansas City, Missouri office at (816) 455-2020.

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How Cataracts Affect Your Vision

The eye’s natural lens is normally clear. The lens bends incoming light and focuses it to help you see. A clear lens facilitates crisp, clear vision.

A clouding of the eye’s natural lens is called a cataract. Cataracts are a progressive condition. This means that if the cataracts are not treated, they will continue to worsen and affect your vision.

Wiles Eye Center offers quality cataract removal surgery. Here, our knowledgeable ophthalmologists discuss how cataracts affect your vision.

Blurred Vision

Cataracts can affect your vision in a number of ways. Notably, as cataracts spread across the eye your vision may become cloudy. It may look like you are seeing through a film or a foggy window. Your vision will most likely become progressively blurred over time.

Light Sensitivity

Cataracts can also make you sensitive to light. You may notice that your vision is especially affected in bright sunlight or in brightly lit rooms. Lamps that you used to be comfortable using may seem too bright.

Glare Around Lights

Cataracts can also cause glare or halos around lights. You may notice that when you are out at night street lights or car headlights cause a glare and/or have a halo.

Colors Appear Faded

One surprising effect of cataracts is that they can affect the way you see color. Colors may appear dull or faded. As the cataracts progress it may become difficult to distinguish colors.

Trouble Seeing in Low Light

Cataracts can make it difficult to see in low light. You may notice that you need a brighter reading light in dimly lit rooms.

Trouble Driving at Night

Cataracts can make it difficult to drive at night. This is due to the glare and halos around lights. You may struggle with glare from the headlights of oncoming traffic or from streetlights.

Double Vision

Sometimes cataracts can make you see double. This means that you have double vision out of the eye being affected by the cataract.

Second Sight

One surprising feature of cataracts is that they can actually improve vision … temporarily. This phenomenon is called “second sight” and refers to the temporary improvement of distance vision due to cataracts. If a patient is farsighted, they may notice that their near vision is temporarily improved.

Schedule an Appointment

Are cataracts affecting your vision? Call (816) 279-7015 to schedule an appointment at Wiles Eye Center in St. Joseph, Missouri or call (816) 455-2020 to schedule an appointment at our Kansas City, Missouri location.

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Are You at Risk for Macular Degeneration?

The macula is located at the back of the eye. It is part of the retina and is responsible for your central vision, most of your color vision and seeing fine details.

Age-related macular degeneration is a progressive disease that damages the macula and impacts central vision. There are two types of age-related macular degeneration: wet and dry. It is a serious condition that can cause vision loss and even blindness.

There is currently no cure for macular degeneration. However, early detection and treatment can help to prolong vision and prevent additional damage. Here, the experienced team at Wiles Eye Center discusses factors that may indicate that you are at risk for macular degeneration.

Age

Age is the leading risk factor for developing macular degeneration. The older a person is, the more likely they are to develop macular degeneration. If you are 55 or older you are more likely to have macular degeneration.

Genetics

A family history of macular degeneration may indicate that you are at an increased risk for developing macular degeneration. If you are unsure of whether you have a family history of macular degeneration, you should ask your close relatives.

Smoking

Smoking is another risk factor for developing macular degeneration. The good news is that this is a modifiable risk factor. If you take steps to quit smoking, you may lower your risk for developing macular degeneration.

Race and Sex

Age-related macular degeneration is more likely to affect Caucasians. It is also more likely to affect females than males.

Certain Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity can put you at an increased risk for macular degeneration. Talk to your physician about managing these conditions.

Light Eye Color

If you have blue eyes, you may have an increased risk of developing macular degeneration. People with lighter colored eyes tend to have a higher risk while people with darker eyes tend to have a lower risk. This may be related to the eye’s sensitivity to light. Light eyes are more sensitive to sunlight.

Sun Exposure

Most people know that sun exposure can put their skin at risk, but sun exposure can also put their eyes at risk. Unprotected sun exposure can put you at risk for macular degeneration. Protect your eyes when you are outside. Wear sunglasses that offer protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Contact Wiles Eye Center

Macular degeneration can be diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam. Contact Wiles Eye Center today to schedule your eye exam. Fill out our online contact form or call our St. Joseph, Missouri office at (816) 279-7015 or our Kansas City, Missouri office at (816) 455-2020.

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Glaucoma Is The “Silent Thief” of Vison: Eye Exams Offer Early Diagnosis

Many people with glaucoma don’t know they have it yet because 95% of cases are asymptomatic until vision loss. There are often no obvious signs of this eye disease until your side vision is permanently damaged, which is why eye exams are crucial. Vision impairment from glaucoma typically happens due to high intraocular pressure (IOP) that damages the optic nerve, and there’s no way to recover it. For these reasons, glaucoma is known as the “silent thief” of eyesight.

It’s essential to have annual eye exams to diagnose glaucoma early. Wiles Eye Center offers comprehensive glaucoma management and treatment, and our ophthalmologists use various tests during comprehensive exams to identify glaucoma and other eye diseases.

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a type of eye disease that includes a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, often due to high IOP. The optic nerve is a crucial connection between the brain and the eyes, and once the optic nerve is damaged, it can’t be fixed. The longer eye pressure increases, the more damage the optic nerve may sustain. Patients may experience tunnel vision and missing patches in their peripheral (side) vision. Left untreated, high IOP can deteriorate the optic nerve, causing permanent vision loss or blindness.

Severe forms of glaucoma, such as acute closed-angle glaucoma, cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, red eyes, blurred vision and severe eye pain. This is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment to prevent vision impairment.

How Is Glaucoma Detected During Eye Exams?

Our ophthalmologists perform various tests during comprehensive eye exams to examine the optic nerve, visual field, eye pressure and other aspects of eye health. These appointments are recommended yearly, especially for people with risk factors, such as a family history of glaucoma.

Some of the diagnostic tests for glaucoma include:

• Air Puff: The air puff test uses a plume of air to calculate the resistance from your eye and determine the eye’s internal pressure.
• Goldmann Tonometry: Also called a blue light test, this part of an eye exam uses numbing eye drops and a slit lamp biomicroscope to examine the cornea with a flat-tipped probe.
• Tonometer: This test also requires numbing eye drops for comfort as the doctor gently touches the eye with a tiny device that measures pressure resistance and internal eye pressure.
• Optical Coherence Tomography: The OCT scan is a computer-based diagnostic tool that’s non-invasive. The technology breaks down retina images into cross-sectional and color-coded regions to detect eye diseases, including glaucoma. A laser captures high-resolution images to locate ocular damage or tissue changes.
• Visual Field Test: This diagnostic test creates a computerized map of your visual field to measure your side vision and detect abnormalities in your eyesight.
• Angle Exam (Gonioscopy): This part of an eye exam looks at where the cornea (transparent outer layer of the eye) connects with the iris (the pigmented portion of the eye). This angle involves your eye’s drainage system and is a significant component of glaucoma diagnosis and progression. Our eye doctors touch the cornea with a special lens to see if the drainage angle is open or closed.

Our eye doctors may also take a corneal thickness measurement to establish risk factors for glaucoma. We will discuss the findings of your eye exam right after your appointment and your treatment options. We offer medicated eye drops, laser procedures, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). Wiles Eye Center also provides Durysta, the first implantable medicine approved by the FDA for open-angle glaucoma.

Schedule a comprehensive eye exam at Wiles Eye Center in St. Joseph, Missouri, at (816) 279-7015 or Kansas City, Missouri, at (816) 455-2020.

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Why People With Cataracts Choose Cataract Surgery Before Vision Loss

People tend to wait years to have cataracts removed, putting off cataract surgery for fear of the procedure or waiting until their vision is severely impacted. However, early cataract surgery may lead to fewer complications and allows people to enjoy a better quality of life in their golden years. Cataract surgery is one of the most successful and safe medical procedures, which is why more and more people opt to remove cataracts before vision impairment.

Most people will develop cataracts by their 70s. Being proactive with your eye health by treating cataracts early gives you more freedom to enjoy your family and lifestyle unencumbered by blurry vision. You may even eliminate your prescription eyeglasses!

Wiles Eye Center offers traditional cataract surgery and laser-assisted cataract surgery with advanced intraocular lens (IOL) implants to restore clear vision and improve common refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism.

What Is A Cataract?

As you get older, the proteins inside the natural lens of your eye clump together and thicken, clouding the eye lens and preventing light from passing through to the retina. Cataracts cause a host of symptoms that may impact your ability to read, drive, watch TV and perform other daily functions.

Cataract symptoms include:

• Blurred or clouded vision
• Muted colors or a yellowish tint
• Double vision
• Light sensitivity
• Glare
• Halos around lights
• Poor night vision
• Vision impairment or blindness

Cataracts are diagnosed during comprehensive eye exams at our St. Joseph and Kansas City, Missouri offices. These visits are recommended annually to screen for early signs of eye diseases.

Cataract surgery removes the clouded lens and replaces it with an IOL for better vision. The procedure takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and recovery is often short with no hospital stay. Removing the thick, cloudy lens restores clear vision, including color vibrance, night vision and light sensitivity. Advanced IOLs offer sharper eyesight at multiple focal points and may help you get rid of prescription glasses, contacts and readers for good.

Wiles Eye Center offers high-quality, FDA-approved premium IOLs, including Tecnis, ReSTOR and Crystalens. These multifocal lenses address common vision problems, including presbyopia.

Why Have Cataract Surgery Before Vision Impairment?

Early cataract surgery prevents you from experiencing common issues with cataracts, such as difficulty reading or driving at night. You can enjoy good vision and eliminate corrective eyewear sooner for a better quality of life with more visual independence. Removing a cataract during early formation is often less challenging than a dense, hyper-mature cataract and may decrease some risks and reduce surgery time and recovery.

Cataract surgery may lower intraocular pressure (IOP) and provide better outcomes for glaucoma patients by improving IOP control. Thick cataracts increase eye pressure, and cataract surgery may prevent that pressure increase and improve glaucoma treatment response.

How Do I Know If I’m Ready For Cataract Surgery?

Our ophthalmologists will discuss your eye health and cataracts during your comprehensive eye exam. It’s important to understand you don’t need to wait until you’re struggling with significant vision impairment to have cataract surgery. Early cataract removal is safe and successful with a quick procedure and a short recovery.

Medical advancements and new techniques have made cataract surgery one of the safest procedures in modern medicine. It’s not too early to find out if you’re a candidate for cataract surgery.

Schedule an eye exam at Wiles Eye Center in St. Joseph, Missouri, at (816) 279-7015 or Kansas City, Missouri, at (816) 455-2020.

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How To Combat Dry Eyes During Kansas City Winters

Although the uncomfortable symptoms of dry eye disease can strike at any time during the year, they are particularly common during the winter months. Cold, windy weather, low humidity and indoor heating can exacerbate the itching, burning, redness and foreign body sensation associated with dry eye disease. In this post, the ophthalmologists at Wiles Eye Center discuss some of the best ways to combat dry eye symptoms during Kansas City winters.

Run a Humidifier Indoors

One of the first things you can try to minimize dry eye symptoms during the winter is to run a humidifier indoors. This will add moisture back into the dry air that can help soothe dry eyes.

Avoid Heat Blowing Directly on Your Face

Blasting your car’s heater directly in your face or sitting under a heating vent can worsen your dry eye symptoms. Angle your car’s vents away from your face and, if possible, shift your furniture around so your house’s heating vents are not directly blowing into your eyes.

Manage Screen Times

In colder temperatures, we naturally spend more time inside (and often using screens). But prolonged screen time exacerbates dry eye disease. Try to limit your leisure time spent watching television, playing video games and browsing social media on your smartphone or tablet. When using screens, take frequent breaks to give your tired eyes a brief respite.

Eat Eye-Friendly Foods

Consuming foods that contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, flaxseed or walnuts, can help to lubricate dry eyes. (An alternative option is to take an omega-3 supplement.) Foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin A are also eye friendly. These include citrus fruits, carrots, leafy green vegetables and sweet potatoes.

Try Artificial Tears

Artificial tears are a reliable way to get relief from dry eye symptoms. The tears add much-needed moisture back to the eyes.

Consult With Wiles Eye Center

If these lifestyle changes do not improve your dry eye symptoms, it may be time to consult with our team of experts. We can determine the underlying cause of the problem — it could be a lack of tears or a problem with the tears’ composition — and recommend the most suitable course of action.

Depending on your circumstances, prescription eyedrops, intense pulsed light therapy or tear duct plugs could resolve your troublesome symptoms. We will oversee your treatment and make modifications as needed so you can enjoy lasting relief from dry eye.

To request an appointment with our ophthalmologists to discuss your dry eye symptoms, please call or email Wiles Eye Center today.

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Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month: Watch for These Warning Signs

Every November, Wiles Eye Center participates in Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month in an effort to make more people aware of the effects of the disease. Our ophthalmologists encourage people who are at risk to get screened early, so they can start prompt care if diagnosed. Early intervention and timely treatment are key to limiting the effects of diabetic eye disease on long-term vision.

In this post, our team reviews the warning signs that people with diabetes should watch for. If you experience any of the following warning signs, we urge you to schedule a screening with our eye doctors.

What Are the Warning Signs of Diabetic Eye Disease?

Diabetes causes changes to the small blood vessels that nourish the retina. The blood vessels can leak blood and other fluids into the retina. This condition is called diabetic retinopathy. In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, there may be no symptoms. As the disease progresses, warning signs can include the following:

• Blurry vision
• Floaters (objects – e.g., spots, strings, specks – that appear to float around in the visual field)
• Flashes of light (streaks or sparks of light that appear in the visual field)
• Dark or blank spots in vision

Sometimes diabetic eye disease can affect the macula. The macula is the part of the retina that controls the clarity of our central vision as well as our color vision. Fluid that leaks from the retinal blood vessels can build up and cause the macula to swell. This is called diabetic macular edema. If diabetic macular edema occurs, central and color vision can be affected. Warning signs of diabetic macular edema include the following:

• Blurriness or distortion in the center of the visual field
• Colors that appear faded or yellowed

Note that these symptoms are not exclusive to diabetic eye disease. Sometimes they can indicate other problems with the eyes. A qualified eye doctor can discuss your symptoms with you, perform appropriate testing and provide you with an accurate diagnosis.

Managing Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetic eye disease is treatable. If you are evaluated and diagnosed with diabetic eye disease, our team of experts can discuss your best treatment options based on the type and severity of your condition. That could entail undergoing an in-office laser procedure, or an eye surgery, or receiving injections to stop the damage to the retinal blood vessels.

Our diabetic eye disease experts will act quickly to stop the disease from advancing and prevent additional vision loss. We can coordinate with other members of your medical team, such as your endocrinologist or primary care physician, to keep them up to date on your ongoing eye care.

It is crucial that you follow your medical team’s advice to bring your blood sugar and other vitals under control. Well-controlled diabetes is less likely to permanently affect your ocular health.

To request an eye exam and screening for diabetic eye disease, please contact Wiles Eye Center today.

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