Some common eye problems experienced by seniors
- Cataracts exist when the normally clear lens within your eye becomes cloudy and opaque.
- Cataracts are a function of aging and are most often found in people over the age of 60, although they are occasionally found in younger people, including newborns.
37%
Only 37% of Alberta seniors get a yearly eye exam.
Your Alberta optometrist is a skilled professional
Cataracts
Diabetes
Macular degeneration
- Macular degeneration affects the macula–the central most part of the retina.
- Macular degeneration causes the centre of your vision to blur or distort while the side or peripheral vision remains unaffected.
- It is generally related to the aging process, and is the leading cause of blindness in North American adults over the age of 55.
- While there is no cure for macular degeneration, early detection and prevention measures can delay or reduce vision loss.
Glaucoma
Presbyopia
- Presbyopia is a natural effect of aging, usually occurring after the age of 40, in which the ability to focus on close objects decreases over time.
- Presbyopia can cause headaches, blurred vision, tired eyes and the need for more light. This can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Falls prevention
- Falls are the leading cause of serious injuries among seniors, and seniors with low vision are more than twice as likely to fall.
- This is why it’s important to visit a doctor of optometry annually for an eye exam.
Additional Resources
Doctor’s Note video tips
Further reading
Keep active and independent, book your eye exam today.
Seniors Eye Care
Seniors Eye Care
Don’t let undetected eye issues impact your quality of life. Get your eyes checked yearly.
Tips to protect your vision and prevent falls
Vision changes that can occur as we age
- Identifying objects is more challenging, especially at night.
- Judging distance is more difficult.
- Everyday tasks like reading take more effort or require glasses.
- Colours are less bright and the contrast between colours is less noticeable.
- Visual fields begin to narrow, which may lead to challenges with driving.
- Fewer tears are produced, leading to burning or stinging dry eyes.
Seniors Eye Care: Focus on the facts
Keep active and independent, book your eye exam today.
By age 75, 1 in 4 Canadians develops irreversible vision loss.
By age 65, 1 in 9 Canadians develops irreversible vision loss.
65
Seniors Eye Care
Copyright © Alberta Association of Optometrists.
Seniors Eye Care:
Focus on the facts
How often should seniors get their eyes examined?
Seniors aged 65 and older should undergo a comprehensive eye exam annually.
Alberta optometrists have specialized education. They complete a Bachelor of Science degree, followed by a four-year Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited university.
Alberta optometrists are experts who play an important role in the vision, eye health, and overall health of your family.
- Use high wattage light bulbs.
- Use nightlights or motion sensors in the bathroom and hallways.
- Wear sunglasses, even in the winter.
- Mark the edge of stairs with coloured paint or treads.
- Keep the lighting similar in every room.
- Speak with your doctor of optometry about multifocal lenses.
- Diabetes and its complications can affect many parts of the eye, and can cause changes in vision.
- Detection during an eye exam is often the first indication that a person may have the disease, or that a person with diabetes does not have adequate blood sugar control.
- The most serious eye problem associated with diabetes is diabetic retinopathy.
- Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada.
- Glaucoma is a progressive disease that most frequently occurs in individuals over the age of 40, with the risk of the disease increasing with age.
- There is a greater risk of developing glaucoma for people with diabetes, high blood pressure, a history of eye injuries or a family history of glaucoma.
How often should seniors get their eyes examined?
Seniors aged 65 and older should undergo a comprehensive eye exam annually.
Expert vision care and regular eye exams are the best way to minimize risks, reduce negative impacts and preserve quality of life for seniors.
Early detection of eye issues is key
Many common eye diseases have no early signs or symptoms.
Annual comprehensive eye exams can detect and provide the ability to manage eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration, plus uncover other potentially serious medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Alberta seniors eye benefits renew every July 1
Seniors, did you know your Alberta eye benefits renew every July 1? It’s true. A yearly eye exam can give you peace of mind to know there is no looming eye disease. It doesn’t always mean that glasses or a change in prescription are necessary or needed. It’s about taking care of your eye health. And remember, Alberta Health coverage is available towards eye exams for seniors 65+.
Alberta eye exam coverage for seniors
Alberta Health coverage is available towards eye exams for seniors 65+.
Maintaining eye health and proper vision is critical to healthy aging.
Vision loss or impairment can seriously impact daily living—greatly increasing the risk of problems like fractures and falls—the leading cause of injuries among seniors and a major threat to their well-being and independence.
Healthy eyes = healthy aging
Some common eye problems experienced by seniors
- Cataracts exist when the normally clear lens within your eye becomes cloudy and opaque.
- Cataracts are a function of aging and are most often found in people over the age of 60, although they are occasionally found in younger people, including newborns.
Cataracts
Diabetes
- Diabetes and its complications can affect many parts of the eye, and can cause changes in vision.
- Detection during an eye exam is often the first indication that a person may have the disease, or that a person with diabetes does not have adequate blood sugar control.
- The most serious eye problem associated with diabetes is diabetic retinopathy.
Macular degeneration
- Macular degeneration affects the macula–the central most part of the retina.
- Macular degeneration causes the centre of your vision to blur or distort while the side or peripheral vision remains unaffected.
- It is generally related to the aging process, and is the leading cause of blindness in North American adults over the age of 55.
- While there is no cure for macular degeneration, early detection and prevention measures can delay or reduce vision loss.
- Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada.
- Glaucoma is a progressive disease that most frequently occurs in individuals over the age of 40, with the risk of the disease increasing with age.
- There is a greater risk of developing glaucoma for people with diabetes, high blood pressure, a history of eye injuries or a family history of glaucoma.
Glaucoma
Presbyopia
- Presbyopia is a natural effect of aging, usually occurring after the age of 40, in which the ability to focus on close objects decreases over time.
- Presbyopia can cause headaches, blurred vision, tired eyes and the need for more light. This can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Falls prevention
- Falls are the leading cause of serious injuries among seniors, and seniors with low vision are more than twice as likely to fall.
- This is why it’s important to visit a doctor of optometry annually for an eye exam.
- Use high wattage light bulbs.
- Use nightlights or motion sensors in the bathroom and hallways.
- Wear sunglasses, even in the winter.
- Mark the edge of stairs with coloured paint or treads.
- Keep the lighting similar in every room.
- Speak with your doctor of optometry about multifocal lenses.
Tips to protect your vision and prevent falls
Vision changes that can occur as we age
- Identifying objects is more challenging, especially at night.
- Judging distance is more difficult.
- Everyday tasks like reading take more effort or require glasses.
- Colours are less bright and the contrast between colours is less noticeable.
- Visual fields begin to narrow, which may lead to challenges with driving.
- Fewer tears are produced, leading to burning or stinging dry eyes.
Early detection of eye issues is key
Alberta seniors eye benefits renew every July 1
Alberta eye exam coverage for seniors
Alberta Health coverage is available towards eye exams for seniors 65+.
Healthy eyes = healthy aging
Expert vision care and regular eye exams are the best way to minimize risks, reduce negative impacts and preserve quality of life for seniors.
Seniors Eye Care Doctor’s Note Video Tip: Dr. Nimrit Nijjar
Many common eye diseases have no early signs or symptoms.
Annual comprehensive eye exams can detect and provide the ability to manage eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration, plus uncover other potentially serious medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Maintaining eye health and proper vision is critical to healthy aging.
Vision loss or impairment can seriously impact daily living—greatly increasing the risk of problems like fractures and falls—the leading cause of injuries among seniors and a major threat to their well-being and independence.
Seniors, did you know your Alberta eye benefits renew every July 1? It’s true. A yearly eye exam can give you peace of mind to know there is no looming eye disease. It doesn’t always mean that glasses or a change in prescription are necessary or needed. It’s about taking care of your eye health. And remember, Alberta Health coverage is available towards eye exams for seniors 65+.
Seniors Eye Care Doctor’s Note Video Tip: Dr. Alia Cappellani
Seniors Eye Care Doctor’s Note Video Tip: Dr. Sal Jivraj
Seniors Eye Care Doctor’s Note Video Tip: Dr. Samantha Halvorsen