July 2, 2010
COMFORT KEEPERS WOULD LIKE TO MENTION A FEW COMMON PROBLEMS WITH EYESIGHT AND HEARING LOSS THAT EFFECTS OUR SENIOR POPULATION
By Carol Carbutti
Many adults will find their eyesight usually declines around age 40, and cataracts and macular degeneration may develop with our seniors around the age of 60. As they age our elderly parents will also notice their hearing weakens. Here are a few conditions that are common in the golden years.
Presbyopia is a gradual loss of ability to see objects close to you or read small print. This condition is normal in senior citizens, and a usual treatment is simply to get a pair of reading glasses.
Another common eye problem is Cataracts. These are areas of cloudiness in the lens of the eye that cause loss of sight. Generally, these form slowly without symptoms, and some remain small and do not interfere with vision. Others may grow large or dense, harming vision. Cataract surgery may be needed.
Glaucoma is a result of fluid inside the eye causing too much pressure. Gradually, this pressure can damage the optic nerve, leading to loss of vision and blindness. , senior citizens with glaucoma lack early symptoms of pain or pressure, but annual eye exams that include dilating your pupils can protect you from developing this disease.
The most common cause of blindness in the United States comes from Retinal disorders. The most prevalent among healthy aging senior citizens is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which affects the area of the retina that provides sharp central vision. Treatment of AMD includes photodynamic therapy, which uses a drug and a strong light to delay the progress of the disorder. Another common retinal disorder is a degenerative disease that affects vision and is called diabetic retinopathy. It is important that our elderly parents seek appropriate medical care, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and have frequent follow-ups to help reduce its prevalence.
Two new drugs, ranibizumab (Lucentis) and bevacizumab (Avastin), are now being used to treat neovascular macular degeneration in senior citizens.
When hearing becomes a problem for baby boomers a doctor may use the term Presbycusis, this is the term used for slowly progressing hearing loss caused by aging.
Tinnitus is a term for a ringing, roaring, or other noise that may come with hearing loss. Our aging parents may experience this due to loud noise, hearing loss, some medicines, and other health problems like allergies or problems in the heart and blood vessels.
Carol Carbutti owner of Comfort Keepers right here in Wallingford, CT would like to remind our family caregivers and private companions of how important it is to get your eyes and hearing checked regularly. Protecting your seniors eyesight and hearing is very important.
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