3 Scary Truths About Glaucoma in Seniors & What to Do About Them
Senior adults over 60 are a high risk group for developing glaucoma. Most people avoid taking these simple steps to detect glaucoma early before it causes blindness.
Learn how to fight Glaucoma to protect your eyes
Glaucoma is THE leading cause of blindness in the USA and over 3 million Americans are currently living with the condition. The most common form of glaucoma is open angle glaucoma – and 90% of those 3 million afflicted with it are over the age of 40.
Here are some eye-opening facts about glaucoma followed by some helpful hints to reduce your risk of developing the disorder:
1. 50% of people with glaucoma don’t know they have it!
The most common form of glaucoma, open-angle, has almost no apparent symptoms. This means that 1.5 million Americans have glaucoma and may not even realize it.
2. There is no cure for glaucoma.
Unfortunately, the only thing to do is treat it early to reduce its effects. Adopting healthier eating habits and visiting your optometrist regularly are some of the best ways to reduce the risk of developing any form of glaucoma.
3. These groups are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma:
- People over 60
- People who have a family history of glaucoma (hereditary)
- People with diabetes
- People with severe nearsightedness
What Can You Do About It?
1. Get an Annual Eye Exam
Since symptoms are not always apparent, it is extremely important that you receive annual check ups from a certified optometrist. These exams could mean the difference between identifying and slowing down glaucoma early versus losing your eyesight.
2. Don’t Disregard Warning Signs
Severe eye pressure, loss of peripheral vision, and other symptoms can slowly increase over time as the condition develops. If you feel pain or start having trouble seeing, immediately see an optometrist for guidance.
3. Rely On a Caregiver’s Specialty
How often do you feel discomfort, not just related to your eyes, and brush it off? Sometimes this is a temporary issue. In other cases, it is a sign of a developing condition.
A caregiver can be right there to help you get treated when symptoms develop or if glaucoma has already developed.
A caregiver can help you with the following:
- take you to your eye appointments
- remind you to take prescribed medication
- provide care after eye surgery
We may not be able to cure glaucoma today, but right now is the perfect time to start fighting it!
If your loved one needs extra help to stay in their own home, you don’t have to do it alone. Family Matters In-Home Care helps people enjoy life at home, whether they’re elderly, suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s, or recovering from injury or surgery. Request a free consultation today!
This post is courtesy of ClearCare, an all-encompassing web-based solution, empowering private-duty home care agencies to operate efficiently and grow while solving one of the biggest healthcare and economic challenges of our time.
