When are you supposed to consult an ophthalmologist? Is it when you develop difficulty with eye sight or even before that? The American Optometric Association recommends annual eye examination from age 60.
However, for those patients with diabetes, especially of long standing duration, poorly controlled, with widely fluctuating glucose values, multiple involvement in the eye leading to complete vision loss is a possibility and hence comprehensive management of diabetes and regular consultations with an ophthalmologist is mandatory independent of age. The same is applicable for those with high blood pressure.
Cataract can be defined as opacification of otherwise clear lens preventing trouble free passage of light through the eyes. Regular eye examinations and timely surgical procedures are 100 per cent effective. Diabetic retinopathy is a very common disease which can seriously affect vision.
Patients should remember that treatment of the eye with lasers will be effective in the long run only if blood pressure, blood sugar and lipids are also simultaneously managed.
Glaucoma is a silent condition due to high intra ocular pressure characterised by damage of optic nerve and complete loss of vision. Only periodic eye examinations by a specialist or retinal images can identify and prevent it.
Age-related presbyopia which can be easily corrected by reading lens usually sets in at the age of 40. Age related macular degeneration, dry eyes, retinal detachment are also common in old age. Safe guarding your vision during the process of ageing will have a tremendous role in preserving the quality of life.
The author is chairman and managing director of Jothydev's Diabetes
Research Centre in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi and geriatric expert
