About 74,000 Canadians are blind or visually impaired most over 65 years of age. It is important to have a comprehensive eye examination by an ophthalmologist. Low vision aids are available and in some cases the conditions may require medical or surgical treatment. Cataracts that result from the normal process of aging also respond well to surgery. Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness.
Risk factors are age, heredity, short sightedness and raised intraocular pressure.
One type can be diagnosed at regular visits to an ophthalmologist and can be controlled. Another less frequent type is manifested by the sudden onset of dull, aching pain over one eye associated with a change in vision blurring and haloes around lights. It may happen within half an hour and must be treated on an emergency basis. Other vision disorders with a heredity factor are glaucoma, short sighted, cross-sighted, turned eye and lazy eye. Early diagnosis and treatment are extremely important to the outcome of these disorders.