Senior Health: Eye Care

 Visual impairment can have a significant effect when it comes to how well older adult’s functions in their homes and communities.   It is an unfortunate fact that too many people take their eyesight for granted, because they figure that low vision is just another part of the aging process.  This is not true.  Yes, the diseases that are associated with aging may make your vision worse, but not the aging itself.  As with many other health issues, prevention, early diagnosis and treatment are essential.

 

Education, accessible services, rehabilitation, environmental assessment, and environmental modifications can help you function independently. Not all vision loss can be prevented but resources are available to make life much more enjoyable.  Do not give up on yourself because fate has dealt you a low blow.

 

When you develop a medical problem of any kind, what you need is information.  It is important to understand what your condition is and how it should be treated.  The more information that you have the more in control you will feel.

 

The health of your eyes is tied in with the health of the rest of your body.  If you take good care of yourself, your eyes and your body will function at its best.  If you have a medical problem that has the potential of affecting your eye sight, be sure you are being monitored closely by both your primary care physician and by an eye care specialist.  If you are 65 or older you should have your eyes examined every 1-2 years.

 

Adults who have been diagnosed with: hypertension, HIV/AIDS, those with a family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration, contact lens wearers, those who have had previous eye surgeries or eye injuries are particularly vulnerable.

 

Undoubtedly you have a passing understanding of terms like cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. These are some of the better known afflictions associated with aging.  There are treatments available so early diagnosis and regular follow-ups are essential.

 

Eye medications are used to diagnose, treat and prevent eye disease.  Eye drops and eye ointment are the usual ways to medicate the eye.  When a doctor prescribes eye drops it is not unusual for patients to worry about whether they are doing it right or if they can even learn how to do it themselves.  Some people are supersensitive and have a terrible time holding the lids open in order to have the drop hit the surface of the eye.  If necessary you can ask someone to help you but if you are living alone you need to be able to master the technique suggested by your doctor.  Eye drops are too important and too expensive to have them running down your cheeks.  If you are having trouble getting the eye drop into your eye, be sure to talk with your eye care specialists and they can work with you to make sure you are getting the medication that you need.  There are adaptive devices available that can assure that you are delivering a single drop on the exact center of your eye.  This is a big help for people who suffer from arthritis, a bad back or neck, vertigo or other physical problems. Your eyes are important to you.  If you develop an eye problem, learn as much you can about it, join a support group and take advantages of the technology available.  It is up to you to express your interest.   If you don’t say anything everyone is going to assume that you are okay with the way things are going.  Speak up!

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Jhone]

What is the staff like? Happy staff members that lover their job, means happy seniors that love where they live for Long Term Care. Try to find housing that also offers a variety of activities for the seniors to do. If seniors live a more active lifestyle they are more likely to live longer, more fulfilled lives.

[laser eye center]

I am agreed that early diagnosis of any potential problems will decrease the chance of severe damage to our sight.