These signs of serious vision problems in seniors should never be ignored.
If you feel like newspaper print is becoming smaller and smaller as we age, you’re not alone! A number of us find ourselves struggling to read the fine print, so to speak – holding reading materials at arm’s length, donning reading glasses, or making use of a magnifier.
Though not everyone suffers from vision troubles in aging, there are several conditions that are more commonplace than others. It’s important for everyone to visit the eye doctor on a yearly basis, regardless if any changes in vision are experienced, as a preventive measure and to enable the doctor to catch some of the more serious conditions early, such as:
- Retinopathy: Retinopathy can arise in diabetics, which can bring about a leak or blockage to the blood vessels in the back of the eye. It’s essential to be aware also that diabetes is the number one cause of loss of vision, making it particularly imperative for diabetics to maintain ongoing, regular checkups with the eye doctor, and to be meticulous in their management of the disease.
- Macular Degeneration: As the name denotes, this condition occurs when the tiny macula in the eye begins to break down, causing distorted sight when looking straight ahead. Surgical treatment can help in some situations, but it’s important for individuals diagnosed with macular degeneration to learn about and implement techniques to best utilize their remaining peripheral vision. Macular degeneration does not lead to complete blindness.
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma causes elevated fluid pressure in the eye, leading to injury to the optic nerve, and can lead to blindness, especially if left undiagnosed. Treatment options can include surgery and/or eye drops to keep vision loss from progressing.
- Cataracts: Extremely commonplace in older adults, cataracts are the result of clouding of the lens, and can be rectified with a simple, safe, and effective replacement of the cloudy lens with a new plastic lens.
If experiencing any of the symptoms below, seek medical assistance right away:
- Sudden onset of vision loss which could signify the presence of a detached retina, a hemorrhage, stroke, or other serious concern.
- A crossed eye or double vision, which could be the result of a neurological concern such as a stroke.
- A painful eye can be caused by an infection, abrasion, increased eye pressure, or other serious medical problem. When the pain occurs with nausea, vomiting, headache or the appearance of halos around lights, it could be the result of acute glaucoma.
- Flashes of light can appear from a detaching retina.
- Sudden discharge from the eye or redness in one or both eyes can occur when the eye is infected.
Morning Glory Home Care, provider of the best elder care in Edwardsville, IL and the surrounding areas, is always on hand to assist older individuals in preserving optimum eye health. We can provide accompanied transportation to medical appointments, procedures, and checkups, track any changes in eye health so that they’re addressed right away, minimize the risk of falls in the home for those with vision problems, and so much more.
Call us at 618-667- 8400 to request a free in-home assessment to learn more!