The meibomian glands are located in the eyelids, which secrete tiny oil, comprising the lipid layer of the tear film. This tear film is to preventing rapid evaporation of the tears. It is quite important to they eye health. If those glands fail to produce oil, the function of tear film will be affected and in turn symptoms like dry eyes will be experienced by the suffer. And this is called the MGD, the abbreviation of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

Besides regular eye exams, people themselves always realize some visual changes or warning signs during daily lives. Sudden visual symptoms are usually signs of eye problems, which require an immediate visit to the doctor’s. This self-detection also plays an important role in visual health preserving, especially in older people.

A bad news is that the number of AMD patients is on the increase. The most contributing reason is that the thinning ozone layer is allowing more ultraviolet light, so that it is quite necessary to wear sunglasses outdoors. Other causes include longer life span, environmental pollutants, smoking, poor diet, and obesity and so on. Old people need a health diet and more exercise than youngsters for ADM prevention.

It is amazing that presbyopia correction can be achieved through cataract surgery, which is a good example of “killing two birds with one stone”. As commonly known, conventional single vision IOLs that are inserted during cataract surgery can only provide clear vision at a certain distance, so that patients still need kinds of eyeglasses or contacts to correct other vision problems. Also called presbyopia-correcting IOLs, multifocal and accommodation IOLs inserted during cataract surgery can restore a full range of vision without eyeglasses or additional contact lenses.

Researchers from the National Eye Institute (NEI) and NASA have developed an “early warning” testing system, which can alert eye doctors to first signs of cataracts. This helpful cataract diagnostic device can apply low power laser light into the eye, in order to detect damage to certain proteins in the lens. Proteins damage in the lens can gradually develop into cataracts and even cause blindness if left untreated. Once cataracts have formed and cloudy lens occur, it is too late to deal with. By detecting early signs of protein damage, the newly invented testing system can suggest early interventions, such as controlling diabetes and avoiding sun and UV exposure.

Professor Isaac Schweitzer from University of Melbourne described a severe case of depression directly associated with the use of glaucoma eye drops. He pointed out in the October issue of the Medical Journal of Australia that glaucoma eye drops such as beta-blockers should be avoided by older people in controlling high eye pressure.

Funded by Alcon Research Ltd, a research analyzed Medicare claims and payments for glaucoma surgery between 1997 and 2006. According to results published in July 2009, the number of glaucoma surgeries was increasing and Medicare payments for these procedures were decreasing. In detail, procedure numbers and Medicare payments were in decrease from 1997 to 2000. After 2000, glaucoma procedures increased and payments from Medicare for some types of procedures decreased. According to researchers of the study, Medicare payments have long been an important component of the cost of glaucoma. Once these payments from Medicare are cut off, patients will be reluctant to receive newer technologies such as drainage devices.

Ocular or ophthalmic migraines are common in women under 40, especially those who have a family history of the disease. Ocular migraine is sometime associated with the brain and has strange symptoms. Some signs and symptoms related to tumors, aneurysms, strokes, and degenerative diseases require immediate medical treatment from the doctor.

A large European study revealed that the combination of too few antioxidants in diet and exposure to blue light (HEV) rays can significantly increase the risk of developing advanced macular degeneration. Blue light alone is never linked with any kind of macular degeneration. However, low consumption of antioxidants such as vitamin C and zinc can make blue light rays more harmful. Besides taking more nutrients from vegetables and fruits, older people should also get HEV protection from proper sunglasses.

Adults above 45 are at a higher risk of developing vision problems due to natural aging or eye diseases. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) estimates that the population that suffers various eye diseases will reach 43 million by 2020. It is overwhelmingly important for older individuals to maintain eye health.