Did you know that eighty percent of our senses are reliant on our vision? With our perception abilities so heavily intertwined with our sense of sight, coupled with the importance of eyesight in our daily activities, eye care is extremely important. It is particularly so as we grow older. Hence we need to reduce the probability of optical damage and other eye diseases.
This article will focus on three critical eye diseases affecting the elderly and the respective measures you can adopt to take charge of your elderly loved one’s optical health.
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding on the clear lenses of our eyes. It usually develops due to aging or injury to the tissue in the eye. A cataract happens when the protein and muscle fibers in our eyes break down and causes our vision to get clouded. Suffering from cataracts is similar to peering through a frosted window, and makes basic tasks like reading and even viewing facial expressions difficult. It gets progressively worse over time. Thankfully, cataract surgery is available to rectify this age-related optical degradation, and your loved one should visit an optometrist as soon as you notice these symptoms.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye condition that arises from damage to the eye’s optic nerve, a key component in our sense of vision. This condition is particularly dangerous, as it can lead to sudden and complete blindness with no warning signs entirely. While research has linked glaucoma to increased pressure on the eye, doctors still fail to fully understand the causes of glaucoma in our eyes. Hence, the only truly effective method of preventing this disease is constant and regular checkups with the optometrist.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a common age-related eye disease, causing blurred or impaired vision due to the thinning of the macula, a component of the retina in our eyes. It results in partial loss of vision and primarily affects our central vision. While no one is entirely sure about the cause of this disease, studies have linked this visual impairment to hereditary and environmental factors. While there is no treatment available for this disease, preventive measures can be taken to reduce the chances of it occurring, such as adopting a healthier diet or quitting bad habits like smoking.
Improve Your Vision Today!
Research has shown that taking the appropriate measures of optical care can go a long way in preventing the formation of these eye diseases. A key component of eye care is consistency. Only by making the appropriate changes and sticking to these changes can we truly reap the full benefits of these preventive measures.
Regular eye breaks and protective eyewear like sunglasses and shades will go a long way in protecting the physical tissues in your loved one’s eyes, while changes to the lifestyle like having regular exercise and quitting smoking would certainly play a role in improving your loved one’s optical health. A healthy balanced diet will also play a crucial role in maintaining your loved one’s vision, while regular visits to a nearby optometrist for eye checkups will help identify any potential changes to your loved one’s eye health.
