As one gets older, their eyesight may change. Some people may need to wear prescription lenses or glasses as this change occurs, while others may not have to.
Ultimately, good eyesight is key to ensuring your safety or the safety of your loved one, which is why it is important for all adults to maintain clear vision.
At Seasons Retirement, we make transportation arrangements to take our residents to and from eye appointments.
Settling for the assisted living option in retirement homes will provide for all your loved one’s needs. That said, make sure not to confuse retirement homes for nursing homes as they have their differences.
Here are some tips to help you or your loved one to care for their eyes:
Eye tests aren’t just for checking whether eyeglasses are still functional. This vision care for seniors is also an important check for the eyes’ health.
An eye test can discover whether they have eye diseases like cataracts or glaucoma. Also, it’s possible to detect general health problems like high blood pressure and diabetes with an eye test.
Optometrists perform eye tests. It’s important to know when there are notable vision changes or a progressive eye condition so that treatment can begin in time.
By conducting an eye test, one can determine whether they need a new prescription for their contact lenses or glasses.
Wearing the correct lenses will always enhance vision and reduce the risk of accidents.
Eating healthy foods is one of the best tips for eye care for seniors. Try eating plenty of fruits and vegetables to enhance overall eye health and protect this delicate body part from conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts.
In short, vegetables and fruits are the best eye vitamins for seniors and should be part of the daily menu.
Direct sunlight can damage the eyes and increase the possibility of developing cataracts. This is why it is important to wear sunglasses or contact lenses with a built-in UV filter to protect the eyes from harmful sun rays. This contributes to continued and diligent eye care for seniors.
A chronic smoker has a great chance of developing eye conditions like macular degeneration. To maintain good health and prevent eye disorders, discontinue smoking, eat healthy meals, and drink water.
An overweight person runs the risk of developing diabetes, resulting in loss of sight.
When up to 60 years old, their eyes may need three times as much light as when they were 20 to see as clearly.
To help with this, increase the amount of light in the home by cleaning the windows and opening the curtains.
Ensure the electric lighting is sufficient, especially at the top and bottom of the staircase (if this structure exists), to see the steps well.
Oxygen intake and free flow of blood are necessary for good eye health. However, to ensure these, one must exercise regularly.
Exercising is key at Seasons Retirement. We engage our residents in different group exercises to keep them fit and active.
Regular sleep will keep the eye muscles relaxed and continuously lubricated to remove irritants like smoke or dust accumulated during the day.
Here are some common eye problems in seniors.
At the age of 60 years, one may need different glasses for reading and prescription lenses, including varifocals, multifocal, or bifocals.
Older adults who have diabetes may develop this eye condition, so they should go for regular eye tests.
These are harmless tiny spots that float across the eyes. However, should they persist, visit an optometrist symptom of an underlying eye condition.
This condition is an eye problem that mainly affects adults over 60 years, where the eye lens becomes cloudy. However, it can be detected in an eye test, and simple medical surgery can solve it.
This eye condition has to do with blurriness of near vision caused by age-related lens thickening, making it less flexible. It usually happens to most individuals when they attain their 40s.
Glaucoma refers to increased eye pressure, leading to the optic nerve damage that connects the eye to the brain. If untreated, it can lead to tunnel vision and blindness in extreme cases.
However, eye drops can prevent complications if detected early and treated.
AMD refers to a group of degenerative diseases of the retina that causes permanent and progressive loss of central vision, hampering the ability to see details, read, recognize faces, and drive.
Currently, there is no cure for this medical condition, but there are treatments that could slow the level of damage it causes.
However, the treatment will depend on the type and stage of the disease. One can begin care with the best eye drops for aging eyes. The earlier the disease is detected, the higher the possibility of retaining the vision.
Regular eye tests are recommended to slow down the progression of age-related macular degeneration.
Eye care for seniors is critical. When exercising for healthy living, carry out general medical checkups, including eye tests. This will reduce the risk of developing an eye condition and facilitate early treatment if any symptoms are noticed.