There’s no denying that vision loss is common with age. Glaucoma can be attributed to be the main cause of about 10 percent of total blindness in the United States, and majority of people affected are seniors (individuals over 65 years of age). While on one hand glaucoma is one of the leading causes of legal blindness in the US that leads to irreversible vision loss-and eventually can cause complete blindness, it is also probably the most preventable cause of vision loss.
Healthy vision is the key to living a quality life, even more so in your senior years. It not just reduces the probability of silly accidents, but also makes people more self-sufficient, and boosts their confidence to navigate the indoors and outdoors. Glaucoma and cataracts are common vision problems seniors are most likely to develop, which can occur in one or both eyes, simultaneously. This article aims to discuss the ways you can prevent the former.
About three million Americans have glaucoma, but only about half of them realize it, which is what leads to 9-12 percent of all cases of blindness. Glaucoma is a cluster of diseases that can damage the eye’s optic nerve, and is also referred to as a silent disease as many people may not be aware that they have it. The disease can be caused by an increased pressure within the eye that damages the optic nerve. Without increased eye pressure also, glaucoma can develop in someone.
Symptoms:
As has already been mentioned, many people can have the disease without any symptoms or vision changes. As the disease advances, there might be a gradual loss of peripheral vision, meaning that over time, the vision out of the side of the eyes will start to worsen and appear as if you are looking through a tube or tunnel. The best way to detect the disease is with a comprehensive dilated eye exam. It must be noted that glaucoma- if goes undiagnosed and untreated- causes more vision loss than any other disease in the world. This is also where the good news lies, which are vision loss as a result of glaucoma can be prevented with early diagnosis and treatment.
Common types of glaucoma in older adults:
1.Is open-angle Glaucoma (this is the most common type)
2.Withopen-angle
3.Low-tension or normal Tension Glaucoma (this type is more difficult to detect)
4.From angle-closure
Some rare types include Pigmentary Glaucoma (mostly affects nearsighted people and men) and Trauma-related Glaucoma (which mainly develops due to any serious blow to the eye, chemical burn, etc.).
Although there is no cure for glaucoma, currently, regular eye exams are the best form of prevention against significant damage from the disease. Generally, a check for glaucoma should be done every 2-4 years before age 40, every 1-3 years from age 40-54, every 1-2 years from age 55-64, and every 6-12 months after age 65. If the physician detects signs of glaucoma, they will work towards lowering the pressure in the eye, which usually begins with eye drops but may as well include other treatment options, such as oral medications, surgery, or lasers. Remember, timely diagnosis and appropriate treatments are key to preventing the disease.
Risk factors:
The key for seniors to lower their risk for developing this common vision issue is by knowing the risk factors and taking steps to minimize those that are preventable. The risk factors include
1.Age
2.Genetics
3.Steroids (long-term steroid use)
4.Eye injury
5.High blood pressure
6.Diabetes
7.Migraines
8.Poor blood circulation
These tips can help seniors protect their eyesight and prevent glaucoma from developing or progressing:
1Wear eye protection, especially when going to areas with heavy traffic, while playing sports, etc. to protect against serious eye injuries.
2.Exercise regularly to lower your eye pressure.
3.Taking prescribed medication can help prevent glaucoma from progressing.
4.It is important to maintain normal blood pressure and insulin levels.
5.Make sure to attend regular doctor visits.
If your senior loved one has been suffering from vision-related issues that have made it challenging to carry out day-to-day activities, it is best to go for a seniorhome care Charlotte, NC professional for your house, who’ll provide round-the-clock support to your beloved and allow him/her to live their best quality of life.
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