May is Healthy Vision Month, and if you’re worried about your parent’s vision, now is the best time to schedule an eye exam for them. If you can’t take off work to take them to an eye exam, home care can help.
A home care provider can make sure your parent gets to their eye exam safely. And they can stay to make sure your parent isn’t alone during the exam. It’s essential for seniors to get their eyes checked frequently, because their vision can change quickly.
As seniors age, they are at higher risk of developing common eye conditions. Low vision affects more than 15 million seniors, and the risks of experiencing vision loss go up every year as your parent gets older.
Getting regular eye exams is the best way to prevent vision loss. When common conditions that impact vision are diagnosed early, there’s a better chance they can be treated before they permanently affect your parent’s ability to see.
Common Eye Disorders That Seniors Have and How Home Care Can Help
If your parent has diabetes, they need to get regular eye exams to check for diabetic retinopathy. Many seniors who have uncontrolled diabetes develop diabetic retinopathy, which can damage the eyes and cause permanent vision loss.
With home care, seniors can get the support they need to attend appointments, manage medications, and maintain daily routines that protect their vision and overall health.
When your parent has regular eye exams, their eye doctor will check for the most common eye conditions that impact seniors, including:
Cataracts
Cataracts are one of the most common eye problems in older adults. They happen when the clear lens inside the eye becomes cloudy. This makes vision look blurry or foggy, like looking through a dirty window.
Cataracts usually develop slowly over time. At first, stronger glasses may help, but many people eventually need surgery. Cataract surgery is very common and can greatly improve vision.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD affects the center of the retina, which is the part of the eye that helps seniors see fine details. This condition makes it hard to read, drive, or see faces clearly. Straight lines may look wavy, and there may be a dark or blurry spot in the center of vision.
There are two types of AMD, but both can lead to vision loss if not managed. AMD does not usually cause complete blindness, but it can make everyday tasks much harder. If your parent develops AMD, having home care can help your parent live well independently.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often due to high pressure inside the eye. It is sometimes called the “silent thief of sight” because it often has no early symptoms.
Vision loss usually starts at the edges, also known as peripheral vision. Over time, it can lead to tunnel vision and even blindness if untreated. Regular eye exams are important because glaucoma can be detected before major damage occurs.
Diabetic Retinopathy
This condition affects seniors who have diabetes. High blood sugar levels can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina. These vessels can leak, swell, or close off, which affects vision.
In some cases, new abnormal blood vessels may grow, which can cause serious problems. Early stages may not have clear symptoms, but as it worsens, vision can become blurry or spotty. Managing blood sugar and having regular eye exams are essential for seniors with diabetes.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye is very common in older adults. It happens when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears dry up too quickly. This can cause a stinging, burning, or gritty feeling, like something is in the eye.
Eyes may also become red or sensitive to light. Some people even have watery eyes as a response to dryness. Dry eye can be uncomfortable and affect clear vision. Sometimes, dry eye is caused by medications.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is a natural part of aging that affects near vision. It usually becomes noticeable after age 40 and continues to progress. People with presbyopia have trouble seeing things up close, like reading a book or looking at a phone.
They may need to hold items farther away to see them clearly. This happens because the eye’s lens becomes less flexible over time. Reading glasses, bifocals, or contact lenses can help correct this problem.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care in Reston, VA, please contact the caring staff at Cardinal Home Care today! (703) 934-4610
Cardinal Home Care provides exceptional home care services in Arlington, Alexandria, Leesburg, Reston, Herndon, Manassas, Ashburn, Falls Church, McLean, Fairfax, Virginia, and the surrounding communities.
Source:
Cardinal Home Care launched in 2019, with the purpose of providing quality non-medical home care to seniors wishing to remain in the comfort of their homes.
Cardinal Home Care provides exceptional home care services in Arlington, Alexandria, Leesburg, Reston, Herndon, Manassas, Ashburn, Falls Church, McLean, Fairfax Virginia and the surrounding communities.
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