5 warning signs of eye disease you shouldn’t ignore

Protect your precious vision by staying ahead of eye disease and have any early symptoms checked sooner rather than later.

By Sarah Coleman

As we grow older, our eyes undergo various changes, affecting our vision and overall health.

By understanding the warning signs of age-related eye disease you can take preventative measures to slow the progression of these conditions.

The problem is that eye diseases are sneaky and can develop without causing pain.

You might not notice any changes in your vision until these conditions have significantly progressed.

So, let’s talk about what’s normal and what’s not so you can seek help.

Some changes in vision are normal

Our eyes naturally change as we get older, affecting how well we see.

Reading and driving are often the first activities to highlight changes in your vision. You might notice you are squinting to read the fine print or struggling with the glare of oncoming traffic at night.

One common change is presbyopia, where the lens in your eye becomes less flexible, making it harder to focus on close objects.

Also, your pupils may react more slowly to changes in light, making it harder to adjust to different lighting conditions, more difficult to see in the dark, and slower to recover from glare. You may also produce fewer tears which can lead to dry eyes.

Floaters, those shadowy floating spots you may see in your eyes, can be a natural part of the ageing process. If they interfere with your sight, they suddenly increase, or you also see flashes, you should seek an immediate eye check.

Warning signs to look out for

By understanding the warning signs of these five common eye conditions, you can take proactive steps to protect your eyesight and enjoy healthy ageing.

Cataracts

Cataracts form when proteins in the eye's lens clump together, making the lens cloudy and impairing vision by scattering and blocking light as it passes through.

Half of Australians over 50 will be affected, and we will all experience some degree of cataracts by the age of 80. Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss as we age.

Risk factors to be aware of:

• Family history of cataracts
• Diabetes
• A history of excessive smoking and/or drinking alcohol
• Long periods of exposure to ultraviolet light without good eye protection
• Long-term use of steroid medications
• Eye injury and some types of eye surgeries
• A history of radiation treatment, such as for cancer

Symptoms include:

• Blurry or cloudy vision 
• Needing more light to see well  
• Finding it harder to read
• Increased sensitivity to light and glare 
• Fading or yellowing of colours
• Problems telling the difference between dark blue and black
• Seeing halos around lights
• Seeing ghost images (double vision)

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition that affects the middle part of the macula, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, leading to a gradual loss of central vision.

Your macula is responsible for the sharp, detailed central vision we need for reading, driving, and recognising faces. AMD results from the deterioration of this light-sensitive tissue, leading to central vision loss, dark patches, and distortion. It most commonly progresses slowly (known as dry AMD), but there is a rarer, rapid type (wet AMD).

The cause of AMD is not known. However, some factors increase your risk: 

• Having a close family member with AMD
• A history of excessive smoking and/or drinking alcohol
• Long periods of sun exposure without protective eyewear
• Lack of physical activity
• Heart disease and high blood pressure
• Obesity
• A diet low in antioxidant nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids

Symptoms to watch out for include:

• Blurry, wavy or distorted central vision
• Problems reading despite wearing glasses
• Needing brighter light to read
• Objects may appear washed out and less detailed
• Difficulty seeing faces clearly
• Dark patches or distortion of lines in your vision

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause vision loss due to damage to the optic nerve, the main nerve connecting the eye to the brain. This condition causes permanent vision loss. It usually starts with a gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision before noticeable symptoms appear. It's most often caused by increased pressure inside the eye.

Risk factors for glaucoma include:

• A close relative with glaucoma makes you 10 times more likely to develop it
• High eye pressure
• Being over 50
• Being short-sighted or long-sighted
• A history of using steroid medications
• Diabetes, blood pressure problems or migraine headaches 
• Eye injury and some types of eye surgeries

When symptoms do present, they include:

• Eye redness
• Blurred vision 
• Seeing halos around lights
• Mild headache made better by sleep

Note: acute angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency. It comes on rapidly, often with a severe headache and eye pain, blurred or sudden loss of vision, and rainbow-coloured halos around lights. Seek immediate medical help if you experience these symptoms.

Diabetic retinopathy 

If you live with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you’re at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, where the tiny blood vessels in your retina progressively become leaky and swollen causing vision problems that can lead to blindness.

The risk increases if you have:

• Blood sugar levels that are not well-controlled
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• A history of smoking

Symptoms can include:

• Fluctuating vision clarity 
• Blurry, distorted or patchy vision 
• Increased sensitivity to light and glare 
• Flashing or flashes of light
• Floaters or black spots in your vision 

Dry eye syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that is exactly as it sounds. It occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly to lubricate your eyes, leading to dryness, discomfort, and potential vision problems.

Risk factors include: 

• Being over 50
• Being female
• Wearing contact lenses
• Long periods in front of screens
• Exposure to dry air, wind or smoke
• Living with autoimmune conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
• Nutrient deficiencies such as vitamin A or omega-3 fatty acids
• Certain medications taken long-term, including antihistamines, high blood pressure and Parkinson’s disease medications

Symptoms include:

• Sore, scratchy, red eyes that can burn, sting or feel gritty
• A feeling of having something in your eyes
• Crusty eyes, especially on waking after sleep
• Blurred vision that change can change after blinking
• Eyes that feel "heavy" or tired

Keep focus on your eyes 

Maintaining good eye health as you get older means being aware of these symptoms and vigilant about changes in your vision.

Regular eye checks are your best defence against age-related eye disease. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve your quality of life and help preserve your vision.

The information on this page is general information and should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Do not use the information found on this page as a substitute for professional health care advice. Any information you find on this page or on external sites which are linked to on this page should be verified with your professional healthcare provider.