At Home Senior Care, we advise everyone to always be on the lookout for vision problems. We, however, insist that seniors should be on higher alert for problems or changes in their vision. This is because they are more prone to vision problems as compared to younger adults.
Vision changes in seniors could be signs of age-related eye disease, and some of these diseases appear suddenly. That is why it's paramount to catch those symptoms earlier before the disease progresses.
One of the best ways to protect your vision is to get your eyes checked at least once a year.
It is a good time to remind seniors that there are specific vision symptoms that should never be ignored. Below is a list of some of these problems, but it’s good to know that scheduling an annual eye exam is vital to help maintain good eye health.
Vision Issues That Should Never Be Ignored
Take a look at the following symptoms, and if you notice any of them, call your doctor and get your eyes checked:
- Tearing
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Dry eyes
- Itching
- Eye strain
- Cloudy or blurry vision
- Trouble reading small print
- Headache
- Burning
- Twitching eyelids
- Gritty feeling
- Inflamed eyelids
- Painful eyelids
- Difficulties in telling blue from green
- Difficulties seeing an object placed against a background of the same color
Vision Problems That Might Require Emergency Care
Specific vision issues might be a sign of a medical emergency. In this case, call your physician or 911 if you or a senior experience:
- Sudden blurry vision
- Sudden loss of vision in any or both eyes
- Uncontrolled eye movement
- Double vision
With the above problems, don’t try to self-diagnose and get to the hospital as soon as you can.
Vision issues common among older adults
There are specific eye diseases whose risk of developing to severe levels increase with age. They include:
1. Presbyopia
It is a typical age-related vision complication, also known as farsightedness. It is easily corrected with eyeglasses, and it might not be serious though it should be fixed to preserve vision.
2. Floaters
They are age-related vision changes, and they don’t pose a serious threat to your eye health. However, if you notice multiple floaters in your eyes, this can be a sign of serious retina problems, and you should seek immediate medical attention.
3. Cataracts
If you have cloudy or blurry vision, it could be cataracts. The chances of having cataracts by the time you reach 80 are 50% according to WebMD. Other symptoms associated with cataracts include double vision, yellow colors, and sudden sensitivity to light.
4. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
There are two forms of AMD. The dry form and the wet form. The dry form progresses slowly over years while the wet form is more aggressive. Wet AMD can cause loss of vision in weeks, and the main symptom is loss of central vision, which is unfortunately permanent. Laser treatments are used to slow its progression before it becomes severe. One of the main reasons you should schedule an annual eye checkup is to check for any signs of Macular Degeneration.
5. Glaucoma
The risk of glaucoma increases with the increase of age, but family history also plays a role. If not detected and treated early before it progresses, it can result in blindness. For most people, there are no early symptoms, and the best way to detect it is by visiting your eye doctor at least once per year. Anyone can get it and it is the second leading cause of blindness in the world.
If you have a senior committed to any Home care in Newton, it’s good to take the initiative and get them to see a doctor to get their eyes checked in case of these and other age related symptoms.
Make Your Home Safer for Seniors with Vision Problems
Senior Care in Newton advises that you get your home checked to ensure it is safe and comfortable for seniors with vision problems. You can also check your seniors in a Nursing care in Newton where their health is kept in check and you are free to see them any time.
Making your home safe and comfortable for anyone suffering from any vision problem is essential. This includes well-lit rooms and installing sensor lights in the bathrooms. There are also interior design techniques aimed at helping people with vision issues.
At Home Senior Care, we have worked in numerous subtle design elements specifically for the purpose of helping seniors with vision changes related to age. These include positioning furniture to reduce glare, the use of contrasting colors, and easy touch lamp sensors. It is part of the Home Senior Care experience created to demonstrate the highest standards in quality of life in all dimensions. Get in touch with us today to schedule a tour and see for yourself.