Age-related eye diseases that affect vision can significantly impact older adults' quality of life. Early detection, prevention, and management help preserve vision. Low vision is one of the major risk factors for falls in the elderly.
UTMB Ophthalmologist Renuka Mopuru, MD, has a patient base who are largely over 50 years old, and she believes that it is important for individuals to understand the causes, symptoms, and available treatments for age-related eye diseases. Conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy are among the leading causes of vision loss and blindness in older adults. Some are reversible, while others are manageable conditions.
Dr. Mopuru shares that a proactive approach is essential in maintaining eye health in preserving vision and strongly believes in the power of patient education.
“People think that if they are seeing fine, they might not have a problem,” Dr. Mopuru says. “But there are a lot of conditions – for example, glaucoma – where the patient never experiences any symptoms or vision changes until a trained provider checks the pressure in the eye and does a detailed eye exam."
Glaucoma occurs when the normal pressure in the eye rises above normal range and eventually leads to optic nerve damage. When detected early, regular monitoring and interventions like drops, laser treatments, and surgery can slow or prevent vision loss. If undetected or left untreated, glaucoma can lead to blindness.
Likewise, with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), it is asymptomatic in initial stages but can progress to severe vision loss if undetected and not managed in a timely manner.
For these reasons, Dr. Mopuru says it’s advisable for all adults to see an eye doctor at age 50 for age-related eye conditions, then follow their doctor’s recommendation for the frequency of subsequent follow-ups through age 65. At that time, yearly visits should become standard. Those with a family history of eye disease should also see a doctor to discuss their risk.
“If you know something (is wrong), there are so many things you can do to avoid permanent, irreversible damage to the eyes,” Dr. Mopuru says.
This is especially the case with diabetes. Diabetic patients may be referred to Ophthalmology by their primary care physicians due to their risk for conditions like diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma.
Dr. Mopuru has observed that vision symptoms and/or retinopathy diagnosis are often a wake-up call for patients to get their diabetes under control.
“When we tell them, ‘You have a retinopathy, you may not be noticing a vision change now, but you are already at risk of getting it in the future,’ they become quite serious about their general health because they realize everything is connected,” she says. “Patients say they do not want to lose their vision at any cost.”
Cataracts can result from the normal process of aging, and even those who see an eye doctor regularly may be surprised to find out when they have a cataract. Fortunately, cataract surgery is effective at restoring vision, replacing the clouded lens with a clear artificial lens that remains in the eye permanently.
Dr. Mopuru recently gave a community lecture focused on age-related vision disorders. She provided a thorough presentation that included information on causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for some of the most common age-related vision disorders. She said the audience, comprised of seniors, was highly engaged and asked a lot of questions.
Because of her special interest in retinal diseases, Dr. Mopuru treats many patients who are over 50 – even some who are over 100. However, she stresses that new patients may see either an Optometrist or an Ophthalmologist to establish care and assess risks and symptoms.
“Our optometrists are very good at screening, and if they identify anything, then they refer the patient to an ophthalmologist or respective subspecialties,” she says.
 | Renuka Mopuru, MD, sees patients at the UTMB Health Eye Center Clinics in Galveston, Friendswood, and Town Center in League City Learn more about vision care at UTMB Health. |