Abstract
As lifespans increase, the number of older-aged adults in the United States and many other countries worldwide is increasing. This demographic shift in the United States has been driven in part by the aging of the so-called baby boomers (those born between the years following the end of World War II in 1946 and about 1964). By 2030, approximately one out of every five Americans will be above the age of 65 years (Ortman et al., Econ Stat Adm US Dep Commer [Internet]. 2014;1964:1–28. Available from: https://www.census.gov/prod/2014pubs/p25-1140.pdf). This projected growth of older people means that most physicians, including ophthalmologists, will have to acquire skills in evaluating and treating the unique physiologic and pathologic changes which are common in older patients. This chapter reviews physiologic and pathologic changes of the aging eye and reviews interventions which can prevent diseases that affect vision and cause disability.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Owsley C. Aging and vision. Vis Res. 2011;51:1610–22.
Won JY, Kim SE, Park Y-H. Effect of age and sex on retinal layer thickness and volume in normal eyes. Medicine (Baltimore) [Internet]. 2016;95(46):e5441. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5120948/.
Schefrin BE, Tregear SJ, Harvey LO, Werner JS. Senescent changes in scotopic contrast sensitivity. Vis Res. 1999;39(22):3728–36.
Jackson GR, Owsley C, McGwin G. Aging and dark adaptation. Vis Res. 1999;39(23):3975–82.
Owsley C, McGwin G, Jackson GR, Heimburger DC, Piyathilake CJ, Klein R, et al. Effect of short-term, high-dose retinol on dark adaptation in aging and early age-related maculopathy. Investig Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006;47(4):1310–8.
Riordan-Eva P, Augsburger J. Vaughan & Asbury’s general ophthalmology. 19th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Education, Inc; 2018.
Tamm S, Tamm E, Rohen JW. Age-related changes of the human ciliary muscle. A quantitative morphometric study. Mech Ageing Dev. 1992;62(2):209–21.
Glasser A, Campbell MCW. Presbyopia and the optical changes in the human crystalline lens with age. Vis Res. 1998;38(2):209–29.
Donaldson PJ, Grey AC, Maceo Heilman B, Lim JC, Vaghefi E. The physiological optics of the lens. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2017;56:e1–24.
Baker-Schena L. The aging patient. EyeNet [Internet]. 2016; Available from: https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/aging-patient.
Jacobs LC, Liu F, Bleyen I, Gunn DA, Hofman A, Klaver CCW, et al. Intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors for sagging eyelids. JAMA Dermatology [Internet]. 2014;150(8):836. Available from: http://archderm.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?doi=10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.27.
Chaudhuri Z, Demer JL. Sagging eye syndrome. JAMA Ophthalmol [Internet]. 2013;131(5):619. Available from: http://archopht.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?doi=10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2013.783.
Siu AL, Bibbins-Domingo K, Grossman DC, Baumann LC, Davidson KW, Ebell M, et al. Screening for impaired visual acuity in older adults: US preventive services task force recommendation statement. JAMA J Am Med Assoc [Internet]. 2016;315(9):908–14. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26934260.
Klein R, Peto T, Bird A, Vannewkirk MR. The epidemiology of age-related macular degeneration. Am J Ophthalmol. 2004;137:486–95.
Mathew R, Sivaprasad S, Augsburger JJ, Corrêa ZM. Retina. In: Riordan-Eva P, Augsburger JJ, editors. Vaughan & Asbury’s general ophthalmology. 19th ed. [Internet]. New York: McGraw-Hill Education; 2017. Available from: http://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1144468491.
Wong IYH, Koo SCY, Chan CWN. Prevention of age-related macular degeneration. Int Ophthalmol. 2011;31(1):73–82.
Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss: AREDS report no. 8. Arch Ophthalmol. 2001;119(10):1417–36.
Seddon JM, George S, Rosner B. Cigarette smoking, fish consumption, omega-3 fatty acid intake, and associations with age-related macular degeneration: the US Twin Study of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Arch Ophthalmol [Internet]. 2006;124(7):995–1001. Available from: http://archopht.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=417784#ref-eeb60003-5%5Cnhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16832023.
Milton RC, Clemons TE, Klien R, Seddon JM, Ferris FL. Risk factors for the incidence of advanced age-related macular degeneration in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS): AREDS report no. 19. Ophthalmology. 2005;112(4):533–9.
Freeman EE, Munoz B, West SK, Tielsch JM, Schein OD. Is there an association between cataract surgery and age-related macular degeneration? Data from three population-based studies. Am J Ophthalmol. 2003;135(6):849–56.
Howard KP, Klein BEK, Klein R. Examining absolute risk of AMD in relation to cataract surgery. Ophthalmology [Internet]. 2017;120(7):1509–10.e1. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2013.03.025.
Salmon JF. Glaucoma. In: Riordan-Eva P, Augsburger JJ, editors. Vaughan & Asbury’s general ophthalmology, 19th ed. [Internet]. New York: McGraw-Hill Education; 2017. Available from: http://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1144468668.
Feder RS, Olsen TW, Prum BE, Summers CG, Olson RJ, Williams RD, et al. Comprehensive adult medical eye evaluation. Ophthalmology. 2016;123:P209–36.
Moyer VA. Screening for glaucoma: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med. 2013;159(7):484–9.
Screening for diabetic retinopathy [Internet]. 2014. Available from: https://www.aao.org/clinical-statement/screening-diabetic-retinopathy#Summary.
The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group. The effect of intensive treatment of diabetes on the development and progression of long-term complications in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med [Internet]. 1993;329(14):977–86. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8366922%5Cnhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199309303291401.
Mohamed Q, Gillies MC, Wong TY. Management of diabetic retinopathy: a systematic review. JAMA [Internet]. 2007;298(8):902–16. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17712074.
Chang YC, Wu WC. Dyslipidemia and diabetic retinopathy. Rev Diabet Stud. 2013;10:121–32.
Group TASG and AES. Effects of medical therapies on retinopathy progression in type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med [Internet]. 2010;363(3):233–44. Available from: http://www.nejm.org/doi/abs/10.1056/NEJMoa1001288.
Keech AC, Mitchell P, Summanen PA, O’Day J, Davis TME, Moffitt MS, et al. Effect of fenofibrate on the need for laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy (FIELD study): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2007;370(9600):1687–97.
Harper RA. Lens. In: Riordan-Eva P, Augsburger JJ, editors. Vaughan & Asbury’s general ophthalmology. 19th ed. [Internet]. New York: McGraw-Hill Education; 2017. Available from: http://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1144468147.
Lundström M, Goh PP, Henry Y, Salowi MA, Barry P, Manning S, et al. The changing pattern of cataract surgery indications: a 5-year study of 2 cataract surgery databases. Ophthalmology. 2015;122(1):31–8.
Van Kuijk FJGM. Effects of ultraviolet light on the eye: role of protective glasses. Environ Health Perspect. 1991;96:177–84.
Turbert D. Sunglasses: protection from UV eye damage [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2018 Apr 15]. Available from: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/glasses-contacts/sunglasses-3.
Keeping your eyes healthy: wear sunglasses [Internet]. [cited 2018 Apr 15]. Available from: https://nei.nih.gov/hvm/healthy_eyes_glasses.
Fernandez MM, Afshari NA. Nutrition and the prevention of cataracts. Curr Opin Ophthalmol [Internet]. 2008;19(1):66–70. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18090901.
Armstrong RA. Visual symptoms in Parkinson’s disease. Parkinsons Dis [Internet]. 2011;2011:1–9. Available from: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/pd/2011/908306/.
Reed-Jones RJ, Solis GR, Lawson KA, Loya AM, Cude-Islas D, Berger CS. Vision and falls: a multidisciplinary review of the contributions of visual impairment to falls among older adults. Maturitas. 2013;75:22–8.
National Prevention Council. National prevention strategy: America’s plan for better health and wellness [Internet]. Office of the Surgeon General. 2011. Available from: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/priorities/prevention/strategy/report.pdf.
Bueno-Cavanillas A, Padilla-Ruiz F, Jiménez-Moleón JJ, Peinado-Alonso CA, Gálvez-Vargas R. Risk factors in falls among the elderly according to extrinsic and intrinsic precipitating causes. Eur J Epidemiol. 2000;16(9):849–59.
Cumming RG, Ivers R, Clemson L, Cullen J, Hayes MF, Tanzer M, et al. Improving vision to prevent falls in frail older people: a randomized trial. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007;55(2):175–81.
Zhang XY, Shuai J, Li LP. Vision and relevant risk factor interventions for preventing falls among older people: a network meta-analysis. Sci Rep [Internet]. 2015;5:10559. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26020415.
Lord SR, Smith ST, Menant JC. Vision and falls in older people: risk factors and intervention strategies. Clin Geriatr Med. 2010;26:569–81.
Hillman CH, Erickson KI, Kramer AF. Be smart, exercise your heart: exercise effects on brain and cognition. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2008;9(1):58–65.
Colcombe SJ, Erickson KI, Scalf PE, Kim JS, Prakash R, McAuley E, et al. Aerobic exercise training increases brain volume in aging humans. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci [Internet]. 2006;61(11):1166–70. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17167157.
Reed-Jones RJ, Dorgo S, Hitchings MK, Bader JO. WiiFit™ Plus balance test scores for the assessment of balance and mobility in older adults. Gait Posture [Internet]. 2012;36(3):430–3. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22534562%5Cnhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.03.027.
Keall MD, Pierse N, Howden-Chapman P, Cunningham C, Cunningham M, Guria J, et al. Home modifications to reduce injuries from falls in the Home Injury Prevention Intervention (HIPI) study: a cluster-randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2015;385(9964):231–8.
Gillespie LD, Robertson MC, Gillespie WJ, Sherrington C, Gates S, Clemson LM, et al. Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community. Cochrane Database Syst Rev [Internet]. 2012;9(9):CD007146. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22972103.
Desapriya E, Harjee R, Brubacher J, Chan H, Hewapathirane DS, Subzwari S, et al. Vision screening of older drivers for preventing road traffic injuries and fatalities. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;2(2):CD006252.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Shamim, M.M., Le, N.T., Ponce, C.P., Vickers, A., Lee, A.G. (2019). Sensory Health and Healthy Aging: Vision. In: Coll, P. (eds) Healthy Aging. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-06200-2_14
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-06200-2_14
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-06199-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-06200-2
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)