Health Advisory Tips for men above 50 years

Presented by: Dr. Emeka Nwokedi

TOPIC: Five Common Eye Problems amongst people 50 years and older.
UNIQUE85 HEALTH WEEK
September 12-17, 2022


Presented by
Unique85 Health Advisory Committee:

 

No 1 . PRESBYOPIA

Objective:

  • This discussion will present a brief overview of the common problems amongst people 50 and over.
  • Emphasis will be placed on nonclinical preventive approach.
  • Most of us in Unique 85 are over 50
  • Will discuss each problem each day for 5 days

1)Presbyopia

  • Loss of the ability to see close objects or small prints.
  • Cannot read small letters up close like phone prints, newspapers etc
  • Holds materials farther away to see clearly
  • Occurs from age 40 and up.
  • Refractive condition
  • May have headache
  • Loss of elasticity of the ciliary muscle affect accommodation.
  • Lens stiffens with age

Preventive approach

  • See an eye doctor-Optometrist or Ophthalmologist
  • OCT reader may help some people

Treatment

  • Single vision reading glasses, Bifocal, Trifocal or Progressive bifocal
  • Contact lenses
  • Newly approved eyedrop-pilocarpine (not commonly Rxed)
  • Surgery in special cases.

No 2. CATARACT

• Clouding or yellowing of the lens in the eye
• Develops slowly
• Leading cause of blindness worldwide
• Leading cause of vision loss in the United States
• Causes blurry vision, sensitivity to light and glare, halos
around light.
• Monocular cataract can cause double vision
• Many types of catarac

Causes include:
• normal aging changes
• trauma
• diabetes
• exposure to UV rays
• Long-term use of steroid
• Electric shock. 5% reported at Yale
• Congenital

Preventive Approach
• Avoid the causes above if possible
• Wear protective glasses if at risk of injury
• Wear sunglasses if outdoor
• Manage your sugar level (Diabetes)
• See an Eye doctor routinely

Treatment
• Glasses or contacts for vision correction, then monitor
• Surgery when vision is poor

No 3. GLAUCOMA
Difficult to define
It is a group of diseases that have in common a characteristic optic neuropathy with associated visual field loss for which elevated intraocular pressure(IOP) is one of the risk factors.
Normal IOP: 10-22mmHg
High IOP damages the optic nerve:
Compression of the optic nerve against lamina cribrosa causing interruption of axoplasmic flow Poor optic nerve perfusion or disturbed blood flow autoregulation
Genetics/Family history

Signs and Symptoms
Decreased vision
Constricted visual field in late stages Increased eye pressure (IOP)
Optic nerve cupping
Splinter hemorrhages at optic disc
Retinal nerve fiber layer defects
Visual field defects

Preventive Approach

Regular exercise to avoid obesity (not quick strenuous activity) Routine or yearly eye exam

Treatment

  • Medications, mainly eye drops.
  • Surgery
  • Low vision aids

No 4. Age-Related Macular Degeneration
(AMD)

  • Eye disorder that slowly destroys sharp central vision
  • Most common in people over 60
  • Leading cause of vision loss in elderly population in developed countries.
  • Due to poor functioning of the RPE.
  • RPE unable to transport water and metabolites from choriocapillaris to photoreceptors
  • Accumulation of drusen on the macula and retina
  • Poor vision-cannot see faces, straight lines look distorted and wavy.
  • Colors look faded
  • Two Types: Dry and wet AMD
  • Wet AMD is worse due to subretinal or vitreous hemorrhage due to choroidal
    neovascularization. 10 -15% of dry convert to wet.
  • Can cause blindnes

Risk factors:

  • Family history of AMD
  • Being white
  • Cigarette smoking
  • High-fat diet
  • Being female

Preventive approach

  • Avoid risk factors when possible
  • Avoid smoking
  • Exercise regularly because obesity is linked to AMD.
  • Eat less fatty food
  • Eat foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin: Dark leafy green vegetables like
    spinach, kale, squash, yellow carrots, fruits, nuts, seeds, corn. Also, some fish
    like salmon, lobster, shrimp.
  • Maintain healthy BP and cholesterol levels
  • Regular eye check
  • Use eye vitamins if recommended by an eye doctor to avoid progression

Treatment: Depends on the type and
stage

  • Nutrients rich in Vit C, E, Zinc, copper, Lutein, Zeaxanthin(AREDS2).
  • Intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF and laser treatment
  • Submacular surgery
  • Low vision devices
  • Vision rehabilitation services

No 5. Blepharitis

  • Inflammation of the eyelid margins
  • Mostly caused by bacterial infection by staphylococcus aureus.
  • Blocked or clogged oil glands on the eyelids
  • Coexist with dry eye disease
  • More common in people over 50
  • Due to poor hygiene
  • Poor hand washing

Signs & Symptoms

  • Swollen eyelids
  • Redness
  • Itching
  • Crusty lids and lashes
  • Mild mucous discharge
  • Gritty feeling of the eyes
  • Burning sensation
  • Soft greasy scales on the lids and lashes
  • Tearing
  • Pains
  • FB sensation
  • Filmy vision worse on awakening
  • Light sensitivity

 

Complications of Blepharitis

  • If left untreated:
  • Can lead to blepharoconjunctivitis, and meibomian gland dysfunction
  • Can alter tear film-Dry Eye Syndrome
  • Eye inflammation
  • Other infections, stye, chalazion, etc
  • Cornea abrasion
  • Corneal ulcers (hopefully not central)
  • Vision loss and possible blindness
  • Permanent changes eyelid morphology

Preventive Approach

  • Maintain general hygiene
  • Hand washing
  • Maintain good eyelid hygiene
  • Lid scrubs when taking a bath
  • Maintain clean bed sheets and pillows
  • Practicing conscious blinking

Treatment

  • Warm compresses
  • Lid scrubs
  • Artificial tears for associated Dry eyes
  • Antibiotic ointments
  • Antibiotic-steroid drop or ointment
  • Oral antibiotics
  • Nutritional supplements e.g. omega-3 fatty acids
  • Treat associated pathologies