With age, our vision changes which can impact the way we engage with the world on a day to day basis. As they age, seniors in Rancho Santa Margarita will suffer from a varied assortment of eye-related diseases. Understanding these eye health concerns gives seniors and their families a better idea of how to monitor vision, as well as seek care when necessary. If you want to find out more about eye care, click here.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is age-related, the eye lens loses elasticity over time making it difficult to see things up close. One such change may be the need for reading glasses or bifocals to see clearly. Living Assistance Services in Rancho Santa Margarita wants seniors concerned about their vision changes to know that they are not alone but rather among millions of others experiencing similar types of issues.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a cloudy lens of an eye, leading to blurred vision. This happens to many people as they get older and can be corrected surgically by replacing the cloudy lens with an artificial one.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that can damage the optic nerve, and negatively impact eyesight. It often has no early warning signs or symptoms so a regular eye exam is critical in detecting and treating it.
Macular Degeneration
AMD impacts the macular, which is the area of the retina that provides us center vision. Wet AMD leads to the formation of blurring or blank spots within a person’s central vision, which can be very debilitating for activities such as reading and driving.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Rancho Santa Margarita seniors may also encounter dry eye syndrome. It arises when there is a lack of tears which may lead to eye discomfort and irritation.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy can be an apprehension for diabetic senior citizens. This illness happens when high ranges of blood sugar harm the little vessels inside the retina and can cause you to lose your vision if not dealt with properly.
Floaters and Flashes
Changes in the vitreous (the gel-like substance inside of your eye) as you age can cause spots, strings, or flashes of light to appear. Most floaters and flashes are benign, but new or different ones should be checked by an optometrist.
Retinal Disorders: Degenerations and Detachments
Seniors are at higher risk for retinal disorders like retinal detachment or degenerative changes that can cause vision loss temporarily within a few hours of onset. In other situations, you may experience flashes of light or floaters and develop a curtain-like shadow over your field of vision. For anyone in Rancho Santa Margarita, where fast access to specialized eye care is so critical, recognizing these symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention could result in saving the sight of that person instead of causing more damage. Treatment depends on the specific condition and may range from laser procedures to surgery to restore retinal function.
Treating Eye Health in Rancho Santa Margarita
Things like regular eye exams in Rancho Santa Margarita are important in monitoring eyesight trends for seniors. If age-related eye conditions have compromised your quality of vision or are negatively affecting everyday activities, it is crucial that you visit an optometrist or ophthalmologist to help and guide how such diseases can be managed and also on weaponry used for treating these ocular diseases.
Having an awareness of these common age-related eye conditions enables seniors in Rancho Santa Margarita to be proactive about protecting their vision and maintaining good eye health as they get older. The best way to protect your vision is through timely diagnosis of eye problems, especially as we age. Make sure you and your family members book an eye examination immediately if any changes in sight are experienced.
