These eye diseases come at the latest in old age

Eye diseases are among the most common symptoms in elderly patients, and loss of vision can be a major factor in everyday life. According to the "German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) - Society for Ophthalmology", the most common eye diseases in senior citizens are age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as well as green and cataracts.

Although most people would think of high blood pressure, back pain, joint wear or diabetes in the term widespread disease, as to eye diseases, but many eye diseases have already reported the DOG the status of a widespread disease. Thus, in Germany about 4.5 million people would suffer from age-related macular degeneration, around one million patients show a green cataract and in up to 800,000 patients a year will be surgically replaced because of a cataract eye lens. "All of these diseases are due to their frequency folk diseases," explains the DOG press officer.

Age-related macular degeneration
With regard to age-related macular degeneration, the DOG reports that the so-called "yellow spot" (macula) on the retina, which is responsible for essential visuals such as reading, distinguishing colors and recognizing faces and fine details, through the deposition of metabolism degradation products are increasingly impaired in its function. Overall, around 4.5 million people in Germany are affected by the age-related retinal disease - including 1.6 million patients with the wet late form.

Green cataract / glaucoma
According to the announcement of the Society for Ophthalmology, around one million people in Germany are affected by a glaucoma (glaucoma), whereby the eye disease can in the worst case lead to blindness. Glaucoma is characterized by progressive, irreversible destruction of the optic nerve. However, visual disturbances do not show until "the optic nerve is already severely damaged and the visual field is largely destroyed," according to the DOG. Although the damage to the optic nerve is irreversible, the progression of the disease can be stopped, preventing further deterioration of vision.

Cataract / Cataract
According to the DOG, the cataract (cataract) is one of the most widespread eye diseases in Germany with almost ten million people affected. 600,000 to 800,000 surgeries were performed each year to replace the eye lens in a cataract, making surgery one of the most common surgical procedures. The disease is characterized by a lens opacities with effects on vision. A distinction is made between the typical "age cataract" and other forms, such as the cataract in systemic diseases (such as diabetes mellitus) or the drug-induced cataract. If a loss of more than 50 percent of visual acuity is achieved, doctors usually recommend surgery to replace the eye lens. The vision can be restored as much as possible. (Fp)