La Jolla Senior Care News

Aging and Vision Loss

However, people over the age of 65 tend to have a higher risk of having eye diseases and while this is not a standard sign of aging, they are much more likely to experience eye diseases.
Eye doctor Senior Care Pacific Beach CA
Eye doctor Senior Care Pacific Beach CA

Senior Care Pacific Beach CA

As people age, there are a number of physical changes they go through including their eyesight. Over the age of 50, vision loss becomes a common complaint. However, people over the age of 65 tend to have a higher risk of having eye diseases and while this is not a standard sign of aging, they are much more likely to experience eye diseases. Eye diseases typically don’t affect the younger population nearly as much as seniors. The four common eye diseases that affect senior citizens are:

  1. Cataracts
  2. Glaucoma
  3. Age-related macular degeneration
  4. Retinopathy

The American Foundation for the Blind did a recent special report on vision loss and aging and found that about two-thirds of people who are considered to be legally blind are senior citizens who actually lost their sight because of age-related eye disorders. It is expected that this number will grow and medical experts predict that eventually, it will double by 2030. Different studies use various methods to collect data and to do research. Some studies show that people between the ages of 45 and 64 years old have a higher rate of vision impairment. Vision loss for those studies is anyone who says they have difficulty seeing with corrections. However, the definition of legally blind generally means that someone has a visual field of 20 degrees or less. In addition, their visual acuity is 20/200 or less in at least one eye, even with correction such as glasses. Some other interesting key facts from the special report include:

  • “…12.0% of Americans 45 to 64 years of age reported having vision loss, 12.2% of Americans 65 to 74 years of age reported having vision loss, and 15.2% of Americans 75 years of age and over reported having vision loss.
  • When compared to Americans age 18 to 44 years of age, Americans 45-64 years of age were more than twice as likely as to report vision loss.
  • When compared to Americans 18 to 44 years of age, Americans 75 years of age and over were nearly three times as likely to report vision loss.”

(Source: http://www.afb.org/info/blindness-statistics/adults/special-report-on-aging-and-vision-loss/235)

When a senior loved one has low vision, it affects every aspect of their life. They will need some help around the house doing everyday chores, as well as personal care. Rides to the doctor’s office and help with grocery shopping and preparing meals are also included in senior care services. A trained and loving caregiver is the perfect solution to your loved one’s daily needs for assistance.

For more information about how the caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in Pacific Beach, CA, and the surrounding communities.

Brittnei Salerno

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