As we age, some of our senses start to become less sharp and efficient. Vision is one of these senses and it can significantly affect the lives of our loved ones, particularly the elderly. Some of these vision problems cannot be corrected by putting on a simple pair of eyeglasses. You might need to take your loved one to an ophthalmologist for a more accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
But before you can do that, you need to learn more about vision problems, particularly when it comes to the elderly. Keep reading to discover the most common eyesight issues that usually affect the elderly.
Cataracts
Cataracts are one of the most common vision problems encountered in people of elderly age. It consists of thickening of the eye lens, so light cannot correctly pass through and reach the retina. This happens as a result of protein build-up in the eye lens which should remain transparent. At the same time, cataracts also cause fuzzy or double vision in more advanced stages.
Surgery is used to treat cataracts and restore normal vision in patients. However, it’s important to diagnose this condition first. If your loved ones complain of a narrow field of view and double vision, you must take action immediately.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is another common vision problem and it can affect young people too. It is caused by too much pressure building up in the eye. This can put a lot of strain on the optic nerve and this is how a patient can get blind. In fact, untreated glaucoma is one of the main causes of blindness among the US elderly.
Unfortunately, glaucoma doesn’t really show any initial symptoms. As the disease progresses, your loved ones might complain of poor peripheral vision. This is a sign that a lot of pressure is building up in the eye. Glaucoma can be treated with drops, but surgery might also be needed in more complicated scenarios.
Diabetic Retinopathy
As the name implies, this condition is commonly associated with people diagnosed with diabetes type 2. Excessive blood sugar levels might cause the blood vessels in the eye to become leaky and grow incorrectly. As a result, the vision gets distorted, blurry, and the eyes might even become painful in some cases. Diabetic retinopathy might be treated with surgery, but it needs to be caught early.
Macular Degeneration
The macula is an area in the center of the retina. It’s responsible for central vision and it helps people see 20/20. However, it can become damaged and unfortunately, there is no known treatment for it. Macular degeneration affects the central vision of the patient and it can prevent him/her from seeing colors or reading the fine print.
Most of the information we receive on a daily basis comes through our eyes. It’s important to maintain correct vision and discover early signs of eyesight deterioration, particularly in the elderly. At Discovery Village At Dominion, we go the extra mile to help your loved ones remain healthy and happy, so contact us today to learn more about our senior living community.
