Maintaining sound health is crucial as we age. Being aware of the vision problems seniors often face can lead to early intervention and improve their daily lives. Senior Helpers aims to highlight prevalent senior eye issues and their symptoms to prompt a visit to the opthalmologist.
Cataracts
Cataracts occur when the eye's lens becomes cloudy, leading to decreased vision. They are prevalent among seniors and can develop slowly over time. Initial warning signs include:
- Blurry vision.
- Difficulty seeing at night.
- Sensitivity to light and glare.
- Seeing halos around lights.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of vision conditions that damage the optic nerve, often due to high eye pressure. It's critical to diagnose glaucoma early to prevent severe vision loss. Early warning signs include loss of peripheral vision, seeing halos around lights, redness, and pain.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD affects the macula, which is the part responsible for central vision. It usually doesn't cause complete blindness but can make tasks like reading or remembering faces difficult. You'll want to contact your opthalmologist if you experience blurred or reduced central vision, difficulty recognizing faces, or distortions in lines you know should be straight.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar levels cause damage to blood vessels in the retina. It's a common complication of diabetes. Look out for spots or dark "strings" floating in your vision, blurred vision, or impaired color vision.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) happens when your eyes don't produce enough or the right kind of tears. It's uncomfortable and can affect daily activities. You may experience stinging or burning, stringy mucous in or around the eyes, increased irritation from smoke or wind, or difficulty wearing contact lenses.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is a natural age-related condition where the eye loses its ability to focus on close objects. You'll have difficulty reading small print and might have to hold reading material at arm's length. It's also possible you'll experience headaches or strain.
Retinal Detachment
This serious condition occurs when the retina pulls away from the back of the eye, leading to potential blindness if not treated immediately. The warning signs include the sudden appearance of "floaters" (dark specs threads in your vision), flashes of light, or a shadow or curtain over a portion of your visual field.
Stay Healthy With Senior Helpers
As you age, prioritize vision care. Know common senior eye issues and their warning signs so you can take early action and protect your vision. Regular vision screenings are essential to catch problems early. Contact us at Senior Helpers Long Beach if you or a loved one in Long Beach, Carson, Avalon, Signal Hill, or Compton need in-home care and support.