Eye Disease? What You Should Know Regarding Eye Treatment for Seniors

The most common eye conditions are painless, with no vision changes until it’s too late. The best way to prevent eye diseases and preserve your vision is by regular, professional eye exams. And if you notice changes in your vision or your eyes may be injured, consult your doctor right away for proper treatment. Continue reading for more information about regarding eye treatment for seniors.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration 

It is estimated that as much as 15 million people in the US are diagnosed with AMD.  This condition is known as the leading cause of blindness of seniors over 65 years of age. AMD affects the macula, a structure found at the center of the retina that’s responsible for acute vision.

Changes are gradual to some but maybe quicker to others, causing poor straight-ahead vision and eventually, vision loss. Family history, age, and skin/eye color are genetic risk factors in acquiring AMD. If you smoke, overweight and are excessively exposed to sunlight; then you are more at risk. Medications and surgery can help manage AMD. 

Bulging Eyes Or Proptosis

Bulging eyes happens when one or both eyes seem to pop out of the sockets because of lesions or swelling of the eye muscles, tissues, and fat at the back of the eye. Proptosis can increase pressure on the optic nerve, which can lead to blindness.

This condition is linked to diseases like glaucoma, leukemia, hyperthyroidism, and many more. The bulging that occurs in the eye happens over time. Other than the bulging appearance, a person may suffer from double vision, headaches, eye redness and pain, fever, and pulsation. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.

Cataracts In Adults

As a person grows older, the lens in the eyes that helps focus our vision can become stiff and hard. Cataracts occur due to old age and other eye conditions. It is estimated that by 65 years of age, most people would have developed cataracts. 

Cataracts symptoms include cloudy or blurred vision, poor night vision, sensitivity to light, color vision changes, and double vision (single eye). There is no known treatment to cataracts the only ways to slow their progress. Surgery may be done to replace the natural eye lens with artificial intra-ocular lenses

Color Blindness Or Deficiency

Color blindness is accurately defined as color deficiency. This condition happens more in men and women affecting about 8% of men. Color blindness is a genetic condition. The light-sensitive tissues in the retina respond differently to specific colors. This condition may be noticed early by parents as their children learn how to distinguish specific colors. There is no treatment for color blindness. 

Crossed Eyes Or Strabismus

Crossed eyes are due to a weakness of the muscles of one or both eyes. The eye with a weak muscle will not be able to focus on the object as it tends to turn away. The eyes may not align on the same point and maybe misaligned or concentrate on different directions. 

Crossed eyes in babies are more comfortable to correct as long as it is diagnosed early. The condition seems to run in families and may also be due to severe farsightedness that has been overlooked. Treatments for crossed eyes include wearing eyeglasses, patching, the use of eye drops or surgery to realign the muscles.

Eye Floaters And Flashes

Floaters are very small spots or specks that block your vision, which seems to float in the eye. These may look like very distant objects but are actually cells or fibers inside the gel-like area of the eye. 

Floaters are normal and can go away without treatment, but when these become more frequent, these may be accompanied by flashes or streaks of light. If this happens, it means that there is potential retinal detachment. 

Ophthalmic migraines may cause flashes of jagged lines in one or both eyes. This kind of migraine may last shortly or up to 20 minutes. Frequent eye floaters and flashes are severe eye conditions that should be examined by a professional at once.

Glaucoma, Increased Eye Pressure

Glaucoma is due to the increase in fluid pressure inside the eye resulting in the damage in the optic nerve. This condition can lead to vision loss and blindness. Glaucoma is a preventable disease that affects millions of people. 

Symptoms of glaucoma include severe eye pain, blurring of vision, headaches, haloes in rainbow colors, and nausea or vomiting. There are different types of glaucoma, and most of these may be treated by prescription eye drops to reduce eye pressure. Surgery may also treat glaucoma, but damage due to the condition is irreversible. 

Poor Or Low Vision

When your vision is 20/70 or lower and cannot be corrected by using ordinary eyeglasses or contacts, then you may have poor or low vision. This condition may be further classified as partially sighted and legally blind. 

Low vision is commonly caused by eye diseases like macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, genetic conditions, and eye injuries. Symptoms include night blindness, blurring of vision, loss of peripheral vision, and loss of central vision. 

Low vision cannot be corrected entirely but may be supported by a variety of devices like tinted eyewear, magnifiers, and reading materials with large prints. 

Retinal Detachment Or Separation

In retinal detachment, the retina separates from the optic nerves and blood vessels. This condition is painless, but there is a clouding effect that blocks the field of vision. There are many causes of retinal detachment, including age, injury, or diabetic eye disease. 

Symptoms of retinal detachment include floaters, flashes, a grey curtain over the field of vision, a sudden decrease in vision and shadows found peripherally. The best treatment for retinal detachment is surgery. It is highly successful as long as the condition has been diagnosed early.  

If you think that you have a retinal detachment, you must seek medical attention within 24 hours for the best treatment outcome.

If you need help with any of these common eye diseases or you need more information about any of these conditions, you should have it checked out as soon as possible get contact lenses from reputable stores  definitely check it out on this link. Never overlook professional eye care and always protect your vision. If you have any questions about eye treatment for seniors, contact us today at At Home Senior Services.