5 Warning Signs of Vision Impairment in the Elderly

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Signs of Vision Impairment in Seniors in Montgomery, AL

Many seniors around the world are visually impaired, and in most cases, vision impairment could have been prevented. It’s important for seniors to have regular eye exams, allowing a medical provider to check for eye diseases, infections, and other issues that can cause vision impairment. Here are some common signs of vision impairment among aging adults.

1. Blurred Vision

Blurred vision is usually a sign of glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, a torn retina, or uveitis. If your senior parent is experiencing blurred vision, it could be a sign of a blocked carotid artery. This artery is responsible for supplying blood to the eyes. You can protect your loved one’s vision by serving healthy foods and encouraging exercises that increase circulation. 

Some seniors may need assistance with maintaining a healthy diet. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care. Montgomery Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.

2. Sensitivity to Light

Light sensitivity can happen because of inflammation in a senior’s eye, and it’s also common among seniors who have had cataract surgery. Prevent your loved one from experiencing this symptom by keeping foreign objects out of his or her eyes. Addressing light sensitivity lowers the risk of inflammation in the uvea or the iris. Your loved one’s medical provider can prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications to treat light sensitivity.

3. Difficulty Reading

Some family caregivers mistake this sign with memory loss, but it could also occur due to vision impairment. Your loved one will likely have difficulty reading books, magazines, and newspapers if his or her vision is impaired. If your loved one has difficulty using the telephone or reading prescription bottles, take him or her to the doctor immediately. Make fonts larger on devices, or add extra lighting throughout the home. The objective is to prevent straining the eyes when reading. 

Helping seniors maintain their eyesight can increase their chances of successfully aging in place. Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of respite care Montgomery seniors can depend on.

4. Eye Pain

Although eye pain may be sudden, there could be an underlying problem. Severe and sudden discomfort may be caused by glaucoma, cancer of the eye, an eye injury, or itchy and burning eyes. Sometimes small particles enter the eyes, causing extreme discomfort. Older adults with sudden and severe eye pain or swollen eyes should visit their primary care physician immediately. The discomfort may be caused by an infection that can be treated with eye drops and other medications.

5. Limited Mobility

Seniors with vision impairment may face difficulty walking around the home, especially in unlit areas. If your loved one leans up against the walls when walking, this could be a sign that his or her vision has been damaged. Other mobility problems associated with visual impairment include difficulty walking on uneven surfaces and constantly running into objects. When you notice these things happening, take your loved one to see his or her primary care physician immediately. The physician can conduct standard testing or refer your loved one to a specialist who can provide the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Living with a serious health condition can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Montgomery seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more. To find out more about Home Care Assistance’s in-home care services, call (334) 593-3988 today.

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