Common Eye Problems

• presbyopia, the difficulty focusing at near which is a normal part of aging
• cataracts (common in the elderly)
• glaucoma
• complications of diabetes
• diabetic retinopathy, which may be mild or severe
• macular degeneration is a common cause of loss of central vision in the elderly
• eye infection, inflammation, or injury
• infections of the cornea that cause scarring, distortion, or perforation
• Trachoma
• infections of the retina with viruses, fungi, or parasites -- seen with increasing frequency in AIDS patents in the past, but now much less common with modern drug therapy
• floaters (tiny particles) drifting across the eye usually are harmless and require no treatment
• fatigue and prolonged exposure to the outdoors (temporary and reversible blurring of vision)
• migraine headaches (spots of light, halos, or zigzag patterns are common preliminary symptoms)
• congenital disorders
• heritable disorders