Posts Tagged ‘Problem’

Vision Problems For the Elderly

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

we grow old our bodies naturally begin to slow down. There are countless medical issues that older adults can face. Getting regular checkups and screening tests are important to staying healthy. There are some health issues that we can control, such as losing our precious eyesight. Once a year make sure you leave your independent retirement living community and make a trip to the eye doctor.

Many people over the age of 40 can tell you that one of the first things they notice that starts to go is their eyesight. Those who had perfect vision their entire lives are all of a sudden needing glasses to read the newspaper, menus at restaurants and anything else in small print. This is considered a normal part of aging it exist, as the lens of the eye slowly stiffens with age. The muscles that control the curvature of the lens become unable to focus the lens properly. Bifocals are generally used to help solve this nuisance of getting older.

The elderly are also more prone to getting cataracts. Cataracts is what happens when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and blocks light from passing through. Symptoms of cataracts include cloudy or fussy vision as well as sensitivity to glare. Cataracts may even remain small and not be noticeable. In many cases they do not need to be removed and have no real effect on vision. If your eyesight is compromised, cataracts can be corrected through a simple surgery performed at the Manteno Illinois hospital.Glaucoma is also quite prevalent in aging adults. An abnormal increase in fluid pressure inside the eye will eventually cause the optic nerve to be damaged. Once the nerve is damaged it will cause vision loss or so problem. If the disease remains untreated the vision may get worse and can lead to complete blindness over time. Treatment for glaucoma cannot restore eyesight that has already been lost.