Vision problems often cause behavior changes
Vision problems start slowly and are usually painless. That’s why they can be hard to detect in aging eyes, even for an older adult themselves.
But the earliest signs of vision problems are usually behavior changes.
So if you notice your older adult acting differently, it might be a good time to get their vision and eye health checked by an eye doctor.
For example, you might notice that your older adult avoids reading or is now sitting very close to the TV.
Maybe they’re mixing up medications or canned foods that have similar labels. Or, they might be tripping over things that are right in front of them.
We explain the 4 most common eye diseases that cause blindness in seniors and show how they affect vision.
Being aware of how your older adult’s vision might be affected helps you identify warning signs and increase the chances that early treatment will help.
Early detection and treatment prevents blindness
Getting regular comprehensive eye exams is the key to keeping aging eyes healthy.
With these 4 most common eye diseases, early detection and treatment can save vision.
Don’t wait until significant vision loss has already occurred.
If your older adult has any of these signs of vision changes or problems, no matter how small, get them to the eye doctor ASAP.
1. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
What is AMD?
- Damage to the part of the retina that lets us see straight ahead.
- Usually causes a slow, painless loss of vision.
- Leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Americans aged 65 and older.
Signs of AMD
- Shadowy areas in the center of their vision.
- Not seeing things right in front of them.
- Unusually fuzzy or distorted vision.
AMD Treatment
- Treatments may improve vision or delay the progressive loss of central vision.
- There isn’t a complete cure for AMD.
2. Cataracts
What are cataracts?
- Causes vision to become cloudy or hazy.
- Often starts gradually and, at first, causes barely noticeable vision changes.
- Most common cause of vision loss in people over age 40.
Signs of cataracts
- Having a harder time seeing the clock or reading.
- Blurry vision.
Treatments for cataracts
- Early stage: Stronger glasses, magnifiers, or better lighting.
- Later stages: Simple, quick, and almost painless surgery.
3. Diabetic eye disease (diabetic retinopathy)
What is diabetic retinopathy?
- A complication of diabetes.
- Caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina.
- At first it’s not noticeable, but over time, it can worsen and cause vision loss, usually in both eyes.
Signs of Diabetic Retinopathy
- Not seeing things that should be obvious in front of them.
- The longer someone has diabetes, the more likely they will get diabetic retinopathy.
Treatments
- Depend on the stage of diabetic retinopathy.
- It’s best to identify and treat this early.
- If some vision loss has already happened, it can’t always be recovered.
4. Glaucoma
What is glaucoma?
- A group of eye disorders that damage the optic nerve. This nerve carries information from your eye to your brain.
- Most types cause no pain and have no symptoms until significant vision loss occurs.
Signs of glaucoma
- Not being able to see things in their peripheral vision.
- A routine eye exam detects glaucoma early by measuring the pressure inside your eye.
Glaucoma treatments
- Medicated eye drops keep eye pressure low.
- It’s important to use the prescribed eye drops because not using them can actually lead to blindness. Yikes!
Next Step Find government programs that provide financial aid for eye exams and treatment for vision problems
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- Dementia and Eyesight: 3 Common Changes and Behaviors
By DailyCaring Editorial Team
Images: The Doctors (56 sec), Robbins Eye Center, Let’s Talk About Diabetes, Precision Family Eye Care
This article wasn’t sponsored and doesn’t contain affiliate links. For more information, see How We Make Money.
Robert Imparato
You seem to have completely forgotten Cicatricial Pemphigoid. Is ut because not many people have it or are you unaware if the disease?
DailyCaring
It’s a rare disease, so we weren’t able to include it in this article about the most common eye diseases that affect vision.
Joseph Dabon
Nice article though I can’t say I have not read similar ones before. What makes this attractive is the way it is written -simple and straightforward.
However, I am often confused by the use of words. For example, this phrase – “can’t always be recovered.”
Can you make up your mind whether it can’t be recovered or always recovered?
DailyCaring
Thanks Joseph! I’m glad you found this article helpful. When we say that recovering vision that’s lost to diabetic retinopathy isn’t always possible, we mean is that each person’s eye health is different. In some cases, doctors may be able to help the person recover some of the vision that was lost. In other cases, it may not be possible.