Even adults who have always had good eyesight may begin to notice changes in their vision as they age. Sometimes, however, it can be difficult to tell whether the changes occurring are indicative of an eye disease or are simply the natural result of aging.To aid in our understanding of what “normal” vision looks like over the age of 60, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has put together a helpful online guide describing some of the most common vision changes experienced by older adults. These include the following:- A longer time needed for eyes to adjust and focus, especially during the transition from a brightly lit area to a dimly lit area and vice versa.- More difficulty driving at night due to the challenge of adjusting between light and dark.- More difficulty distinguishing between an image and its background when both feature the same subtle gradations of tone. This development is referred to as a loss of “contrast sensitivity.”While these changes may be part of normal vision development, seniors should visit their ophthalmologist or eye care professional if they are experiencing any discomfort or the changes are causing problems in daily life. In addition, the AAO recommends that all adults over the age of 65 undergo a complete eye exam at least once every two years.
Established to support the activities of the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, the Pan-American Ophthalmological Foundation (PAOF) aims to prevent blindness through ongoing educational and cultural exchanges among ophthalmologists throughout the Americas. In order to accomplish its mission, the nonprofit offers a variety of fellowships, scholarships, and observerships to eligible ophthalmologists and ophthalmology students from Latin America. Dr. William De La Peña is a former chairman of the PAOF.Increasing the supply of highly trained ophthalmologists in Latin America in order to improve both the quality and accessibility of eye care in the region has been a longtime focus of PAOF. Its scholarship programs provide an important way to connect promising candidates with valuable education and training opportunities.Scholarships available through PAOF include the Gillingham Pan-American Fellowship, a $10,000 fellowship offered to Latin American candidates who are no more than three years out of their ophthalmological residency program and who have been accepted into an accredited training institution or program in either Canada or the United States; and the Latin American/PAAO Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship, which supports one eligible Latin American ophthalmologist through a one-year pediatric ophthalmology and clinical research fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and its pediatric affiliate, the Children’s Medical Center. Interested candidates can find out more about PAOF’s scholarship and fellowship opportunities at www.paao.org.
