Roughly 3.5 million Americans over the age of 40 years face some kind of vision loss due to age related conditions. These people don’t go blind directly but gradually over a period of time as they experience a slow loss of vision.
But it is your responsibility as a caretaker to be aware of the warning signs of age-related eye health problems that can cause vision loss. Most eye diseases don’t have any symptoms and may tend to develop without being noticed. Having regular eye checkups done will increase your chances of detecting diseases which can improve your chances of taking safety measures.
Here are 4 common age-related eye diseases:
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration
This is an eye disease which affects the macula of your eye and causes central vision loss. Although this is a small part of your eye, the macula is a part of the retina that gives you the ability to see fine detail and colors. Basic day-to-day activities like driving, reading, watching TV and recognizing people requires good central vision which is provided by the macula.
Cataracts form over time as cloudy areas in the part of your eyes that are meant to remain clear. The location and size of the cataracts can affect your normal vision. Cataracts tend to develop in both eyes but one eye usually has a worse case of cataracts than the other. Cataracts are responsible for decreased contrast sensitivity, sensitivity to glares, dulling of colors and blurry vision.
- Diabetic Retinopathy
This condition is most common in people that suffer from diabetes. This is due to a gradual damage to the small blood vessels that nurture the retina. Over time, the damaged blood vessels begin leak blood and other fluids that cause the retinal tissue to swell and cloud your vision. The instability of a person’s glucose intake can also increase or decrease the impact of the condition. Diabetic retinopathy is capable of causing blindness if not treated in time.
Glaucoma leads to a loss of both side and peripheral vision which is caused by optic nerve damage which is usually associated with high eye pressure. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the US and can affect people of all ages but is usually the most common in elderly people. It is vital that the symptoms of glaucoma are caught early on through screening by an eye professional to avoid total blindness.
5 Ways You Can Prevent Blindness for Your Charges:
- Don’t Allow Them to Smoke
Smokers stand a greater chance of developing cataracts, age related macular degeneration, uveitis along with other eye problems.
Make sure that your charges always wear safety glasses when working with tools or playing contact sports that can injure their eyes and cause permanent loss of vision.
- Feed Them a Healthy and Balanced Diet
Research indicates that consuming antioxidants can reduce the risk of cataracts. Antioxidants can be obtained by eating a diet made up of fruits and vegetables.
Studies indicate that consuming fish which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids reduces the chances of developing macular degeneration. You can also opt to add eye vitamins to their diet to ensure that they get the nutrients they need.
- Keep Their Diabetes Under Control
Make sure to book regular physical exams as leaving your eye problems untreated can lead to grave consequences and complete loss of vision.
- Visit an Eye Care Professional for a Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exam
Both the eyes are closely inspected for any signs of common vision problems and eye diseases which don’t give any early warning signs.
These dilated eye exams are recommended once a year and it is pretty important if your charge is an African American over the age of forty due to them having a higher risk of glaucoma.
- Ensure They Exercise Regularly
According to research, some studies state that regular exercise-even walking reduces the chances of going through age-related macular degeneration by up to 70%.
You as caregivers need to gather as much information as you can about vision loss, and then share and implement that knowledge on the people you are caring for.
Vision changes tend to occur as your patients get older, but these changes don’t have to affect their lifestyle or their family’s lifestyle either. Knowing what to expect and when to seek professional care can help you safeguard your patient’s vision.
Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs with a mission of informing readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care especially LASIK. He loves collecting coasters from the different bars and restaurants he visits during his travels.