The remaining 90 per cent of dry AMD cases feature light sensitive cells in the macula that gradually breaks down, leading to a blurring of vision. “It is possible to see the first signs of AMD when lines (e.g. the side of a building) become wavy,” Gordon explains. “There is a test that one can use to see if this is happening called the Amsler grid and it can be accessed online at the CNIB website.” The second most common cause of vision loss in Canadian Baby Boomers is glaucoma. “More than 250,000 Canadians have chronic open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of the disease. It is estimated that less than half this number are aware they have the disease,” he said. “Glaucoma can begin without symptoms. Over time the disease develops into a loss of peripheral vision, and if left untreated
To guarantee best results eyecare providers must ensure prescriptions are being followed as drugs such as steroids can affect glaucoma.
can progress to tunnel vision and eventually blindness. Regular eye exams, once again, are the key to controlling glaucoma.” He advises that people pay careful attention to their medications because drugs such as steroids affect glaucoma. It is also imperative that patients
follow their doctor’s instructions. “It is really important to use glaucoma medications as prescribed by your ophthalmologist as missing a day or two can cause the pressure to increase within the eye and can lead to progression of the disease and possibly vision loss,” Gordon said. Cataracts are a prevalent eye health issue. Gordon states that more than 2.5 million Canadians have some form of cataracts. “As we age our natural lens gradually hardens and becomes opaque. The opacity may occur at any age but usually occurs in seniors (65 plus),” he said. “Most early stage cataracts are not disabling with respect to one’s ability to see, but vision does decrease as the lens becomes more opaque.” With over nine million Canadians living with diabetes, one of the complications associated with the disease is a group of eye problems known as diabetic eye disease, most notably diabetic retinopathy, a condition in which the elevated
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OPTICAL PRISM | SEPTEMBER 2013