Adult health

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Cataracts and other age-related vision problems

As you age, so do your eyes. You might find that you have difficulty reading small print or that you need brighter lighting at your desk. In addition, eye diseases that could lead to more-serious vision problems become more common with age.

Consider cataracts. A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. Most cataracts develop slowly and don't disturb eyesight early on. At first, stronger lighting and eyeglasses can help you deal with cataracts. Eventually cataracts can interfere with your vision. Left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness. However, even with advanced cataracts, vision can usually be restored with surgery.

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3. Jacobs DS. Open-angle glaucoma. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 14, 2012.
4. Arroyo JG. Age-related macular degeneration: Epidemiology, etiology, and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 14, 2012.
5. Arroyo JG. Age-related macular degeneration: Treatment and prevention. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 14, 2012.
6. Facts about floaters. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/floaters/floaters.asp. Accessed Nov. 14, 2012.
7. AskMayoExpert. Glaucoma. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
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9. AskMayoExpert. Cataract. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2011.