Growing Older

By Donald C. Bartnick, CMPE, CEO

Inside every older man, there is a little boy who's wondering what in the world happened?

I certainly feel that way. It was not long ago that I was in school, playing sports, worrying about homework, driving, dating, and getting started in a career. Then came college, marriage, children, and family. Education for children and caring for grandparents and parents followed. Meanwhile we are staying very busy managing a household and continuing to build on a career. At some point, we cross that line; that number; the age when we start to realize we're aging; or that physical condition that causes us to recognize that we're no spring chicken any longer. This is just a waypoint in our journey through life.

We are all on our own journey through this life. Each of us is at a different place and each of us is contributing to the growth of those around us, while also benefiting from the experiences of their journey. One thing is certain; we are all getting older and changing in many ways.

The population of the U.S. is currently about 310 million. Of that population, 40.2 million people are aged 65 or older. By the year 2050, less than 40 years from now, the Department of Health and Human Services estimates the US population will be about 439 million of which 88.5 million people will be age 65 or older. That is 20% of our population, or one in five people will be 65 or older. The baby boomers are getting older and the healthcare industry is responding.

Vision limitations are often thought of as natural signs of aging. However, early detection and treatment can prevent, or at least postpone, some of the debilitating physical, social, and emotional effects these impairments can have on the lives of older people. Regular visits to your ophthalmologist will help to preserve your sight.

Some common vision problems associated with aging are cataract formation, macular degeneration, presbyopia, dry eyes, floaters, tearing, conjunctivitis, corneal disease, glaucoma, temporal arteritis, and eyelid problems. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors that diagnose and treat these conditions as well as many others. In their armamentarium are corrective lenses, pharmaceuticals, laser surgery, refractive surgery, cataract surgery, oculoplastic surgery as well as other sight preserving treatments.

Ophthalmologists are also able to perform treatments and procedures to improve your appearance. Ophthalmology was one of the first medical specialties to use Botox for a medical condition and discovered its application to improving one's appearance. Ophthalmologists also provide cosmetic eyelid and under eye procedures to reduce the impact of aging. You can visit www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/cosmetic-procedures-eyelid-surgery to learn more about these procedures.

In the practice of ophthalmology, much has been and continues to be done to preserve and restore your eyesight and reduce the effects of age. You can learn more about the impact of aging on vision by visiting the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health at www.nei.nih.gov or www.webmd.com/eye-health/vision-problems-aging-adults or best of all, make an appointment for an in person consultation with your ophthalmologist.