In 2012 the over-60 population in the World was 810 million, 4 times more than in 1950 this is set to increase 2,000 million by 2050. With more people living longer there is an exponential increase in incidents of vision loss.
Vision loss is currently the leading cause of age related disability, and what is worse is that 80 percent of it is preventable. Worldwide 285 million people and visually impaired, 39 million of these are totally blind. In developing countries 94 million people suffer from moderate to severe visual impairment. In 2010 the direct costs of vision loss were $2.3 trillion worldwide and the indirect costs a further $652 billion.
As we get older it is likely that our eyesight may begin to deteriorate. Is that just a sign of old age, or could it be something treatable? It has been found that approximately 1 in 3 people have a vision reducing disease by the age of 65.
There are a number of common eye conditions particularly amongst the elderly and these can include: Glaucoma (Pressure build up in the eye that causes optic nerve damage) , Cataracts, Prebyopia (loss of ability to see close objects and small print clearly), Temporal arteritis (inflammation and damage to blood vessels) and dry eyes.
Causes
There are a number of different things that can cause problems with eyesight amongst the elderly. Most commonly the causes of vision loss amongst the elderly include: Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) (the Macula is a part of the Retina that enables us to focus on detail) , Cataracts, Glaucoma, and Diabetic Retinopathy.
Age-related Macular Degeneration is the loss of central vision, and this can have a major impact of completing daily living tasks for the elderly.
What can be done?
Vision loss is common in old age, but it doesn’t have to be inevitable. There are a number of different things that can be done to maintain or improve vision amongst the elderly.
Cataracts is a condition that can be quite common in the elderly, and the best way of improving the condition is with surgical intervention.
Glaucoma is a condition that needs treatment as soon as possible, because any damage caused to vision by the condition cannot be repaired. Early treatment allows further damage to the vision to be prevented. Eye drops are a common treatment of the early stages of Glaucoma, as they can be used to alleviate the pressure. Other treatments for Glaucoma also include: laser treatment and surgery. There are a number of types of surgery that can be used to treat Glaucoma, and these all involve increasing the drainage of fluid from the eye in order to alleviate pressure.
Although there is currently no cure for Age-related Macular Degeneration there are a number of things that can be done. For example by using magnifying glasses or buying larger print books you find it easier to complete day to day tasks. There is also some limited research that has found that there may be a link in slowing down the progression of the condition and having a diet that is high in vitamins A, C, and E. Foods high in these vitamins include: oranges, kiwi, green leafy vegetables, carrots, tomatoes, peas, mangoes and sweet corn.
There are many other things that can be done in order to improve eyesight amongst the elderly. For there has been some research that indicates that perceptual training (training your eyes) can be beneficial in improving eyesight amongst the elderly. Another way in which eyesight could be improved amongst the elderly is through optical devices and visual aids. Eyesight may be damaged beyond repair but visual aids such as glasses or magnifying glasses can be used to improve eyesight. Research has also found that vitamin D could help to keep a good blood supply flowing to the retinas, which could improve sight and prevent vision loss.
Home care
As vision deteriorates Home Care may become a viable option to help maintain confidence in doing daily tasks. A care worker can come in and provide yourself or a loved one with some help and support around the home. Care Workers can provide a variety of different types of care, and this can be beneficial for an individual who is suffering from poor vision as they can help with tasks such as meal preparation, domestic duties, and medication management. This can be beneficial as a Home Care package can help to relieve some of the stress associated with having poor eyesight.
Care workers can, also, ensure action is being taken to have regular eye checks done by a qualified ophthalmic practitioner and that any recommended corrective devices are being properly used.
Care workers can ensure that the house is kept clear of trip hazards and that there is proper lighting for moving around the home and for reading.