Aging Eyes and Common Vision Problems for Seniors

As we age, vision impairment is one of the most common physical losses. Many eye conditions that cause sight loss and blindness are insidious and aren’t diagnosed until extreme measures are necessary.

Vigilance about your senior’s eyesight is important to catch conditions early for easier and more reliable treatment. Some of the more common eye conditions that may affect your loved one are macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss, affecting more than 10 million Americans. Most people affected have had good vision throughout their lives so the usual predictors may be absent. Regular vision exams with dilation are important for catching this early. Unfortunately, it is considered incurable, so the best hope is management of and stemming the progression.

Macular degeneration contributes to vision loss but doesn’t cause complete blindness. Many people are more afraid of going blind than seeing less clearly and it’s helpful to be able to ease your loved one’s fears about this.

Because there is a genetic component, family members who feel at risk can consider a more foodbased approach by eating foods containing high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin, such as egg yolks, yellow corn, orange and yellow peppers, kale, broccoli, spinach, kiwi, grapes, peas, green beans, apples, mango, scallions, orange juice, and various squashes.

Smokers and those with hypertension or high cholesterol are at an increased risk of macular degeneration.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, the health of which is vital for good vision. More than 3 million people in the US have glaucoma. Many are unaware of it, as in the early stages there may be no symptoms. Damage is often caused by an abnormally high pressure in your eye.

Glaucoma has multiple types. The two most common are referred to as openangle and angle-closure.

Open-angle glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma progresses more slowly and has very few initial symptoms. It is the most prevalent, affecting 70-90% of individuals

Angle-closure glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma is largely an inherited condition so knowing your senior’s family history is helpful. It can have a fast onset and is very painful. It is considered a medical emergency and should be treated immediately as blindness can set in as quickly as one to two days.

Common factors for all types of glaucoma include family history, increasing age, nearsightedness, hypertension, and diabetes.

Cataracts

Cataracts are the most common cause of blindness worldwide. It’s the easiest to see since it often causes a cloud on the pupil that is visible to others as it progresses.

Some other symptoms of cataracts include:

Hazy vision that may be worse in bright light
Weaker night vision
Uncomfortable glare from vehicle headlights or bright sunlight
A need for brighter light for reading
Colors look faded or yellow

Cataracts are more prevalent in our elderly population with a prevalence of approximately 50 percent in those 75 and older, compared to less than 5 percent in persons under age 65. Cataract surgery is the most common Medicare-covered surgery.

While these are three potential causes of vision loss and eye pain for your senior, they are not the only ones. It is important to include regular eye exams in your senior’s healthcare lineup.

If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.

Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.

Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California including: Campbell, CA, Roseville, CA, San Marcos, CA, and San Mateo, CA.

Sources:

Carol Pardue-Spears

Carol has worked in the healthcare field for more than forty years. As a Certified Nursing Assistant, she worked for El Camino Hospital in the cardiac unit, Los Gatos Community Hospital, The Women’s Cancer Center in Los Gatos and several home health and hospice agencies. Carol founded Family Matters in 2002 to fill a deficit she witnessed in high-quality, in-home services and care.