As an optometrist, I see how aging affects my patients every day. Their eyes are no exception. Losing their vision, and consequently, their independence, is one of the greatest fears older people have. Those who lose their vision are severely affected by it psychologically.

Jacqueline and Henri are patients of mine and both suffer from multiple eye conditions. Henri, a former truck driver, has had diabetes for several years. After noticing black spots and distorted lines in his sight, he failed to seek optometric advice before the black curtain of blindness fell. As a result, he can no longer look after himself and needs help with daily tasks.

Jacqueline suffers from advanced cataracts. She is delaying having a surgery because she doesn’t want to leave Henri without immediate care. She also fears developing macular degeneration. Her parents suffered from it, which left them visually impaired towards the end of their lives.

This article is part of our ongoing series The Grey Revolution. The Conversation Canada and La Conversation are exploring the impact of the aging boomer generation on Canadian society, including housing, working, culture, nutrition, travelling and health care. The series explores the upheavals already underway and those looming ahead.

Older people with reduced vision often feel helpless. But there are resources to support them. Rehabilitation centres offer support and services to people with visual impairments. Support groups provide an opportunity to talk to people who are going through the same experience.

But above all, there are ways to prevent the harmful effects of aging on eye health. Let’s examine them.

Read more: Your eyes could reveal the first signs of many diseases

Diabetes is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Damage typically appears, on average, 10 years (type 1 – juvenile) or 20 years (type 2 – adult) after diagnosis.

In Canada, 18 per cent of people aged 60–79 are affected by diabetes. In terms of vision, this disease affects the ability to read, the movements of eye muscles and causes the deterioration and/or proliferation of blood vessels, the........

© The Conversation