5 Common Eye Problems That Could Affect Your Senior

Vision problems are very common in seniors. As your senior parent gets older, it’s essential that they get eye exams from a trained ophthalmologist every year. Some vision problems that commonly affect seniors can be corrected if they are caught early enough. Getting a yearly vision screening can help your senior parent see better for longer.

If your senior parent has any changes in their vision, they should get an eye exam right away and not wait for their yearly exam. And if your mom or dad has a condition like high blood pressure or diabetes that could impact their site they should see the eye doctor as often as their doctor recommends.

Often seniors who are experiencing low vision no longer drive. If you can’t take your mom or dad to the eye doctor, or any other errands that come up, elder care can help. Elder care provides a range of services to help seniors live independently, including transportation to medical appointments.

If your mom or dad mentions any changes in their vision or you notice that they are showing symptoms of any of these common vision problems schedule an eye exam for them:

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the eye’s ability to focus on near objects due to the stiffening of the lens, which occurs naturally with aging. It’s very common for seniors to develop presbyopia as they get older.
Symptoms of Presbyopia include difficulty focusing on close objects, the need to hold reading materials at arm’s length, and frequent eye strain when doing close work.

Cataracts

Cataracts involve the clouding of the eye’s lens, which can lead to decreased vision quality. This is often a gradual process and can affect one or both eyes. If you have noticed any white film in your mom or dad’s eyes, or if they look milky or cloudy your mom or dad could be developing cataracts.

Symptoms of cataracts include blurry or cloudy vision, difficulty seeing at night, increased sensitivity to glare, and colors appearing faded or yellowed.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD is a condition that affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. It can lead to significant vision loss and impacts activities like reading and driving.

Symptoms of AMD include difficulty seeing details in the central vision, blurred or distorted vision, and the presence of dark or empty spots in the center of the visual field.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, usually due to increased intraocular pressure. If untreated, it can lead to permanent vision loss.

Symptoms of glaucoma include loss of peripheral vision, blurred vision, and in advanced cases, severe eye pain and headache. It’s important to note that glaucoma can have no symptoms in the early stages. That’s why it’s important that your mom or dad get a test for glaucoma every time they get their eyes checked. Early detection can make a big difference in treatment.

Diabetic Retinopathy

If your mom or dad has diabetes they have a risk of developing diabetic retinopathy if it’s not managed well. Diabetic retinopathy occurs in people with diabetes and involves damage to the blood vessels in the retina. It can cause vision problems and, if untreated, can lead to blindness.

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include blurred vision, seeing floaters or spots, difficulty seeing at night, and in advanced cases, sudden vision loss.

Reference
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/vision-problems-aging-adults

If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in Mamaroneck, NY, please contact the caring staff at Griswold Home Care for Scarsdale & Yonkers today. (914) 337-5028.