December brings us Christmas music, holiday sales, decorations, and calendars filled with festivities. It’s a time of joy and celebration. But what if you’re dealing with sight loss for the first time this holiday season? You may feel like you’re just barely coping and yet you’re expected to cheerily participate in all the goings on. Here are some ways you can navigate sight loss during the holidays.

You’re Not a Grinch

If you don’t feel like celebrating the way you usually celebrate because of sight loss, you’re not a Grinch. Don’t feel guilty about wanting to spend just a quieter more subdued Christmas, Hanukah, New Years or whatever you usually celebrate. Any health issues could be a traumatic experience, especially if it occurs suddenly, or if it’s a lasting change. Allow yourself to adjust and come to a place of acceptance and mental healing without being pressured into activities that feel overwhelming.

Honesty is not Humbug

Are there friends and loved ones who could be there for you if they knew what you were going through? With them, you don’t have to be embarrassed about sight loss. There’s no need to hide it or act like it’s not as bad. Honesty matters. True friends and loved ones will care and respect you for who you are regardless of your vision. You would want to be there for them, wouldn’t you? Instead of spending the holidays on your own, why not consider letting those few and trusted come in.

Shining a Light for the Little Ones

If you are a parent or a grandparent living with young children, sight loss may be difficult for them to grasp right away. They may not understand that you now have to do things differently and they could be more sensitive to all the changes during this season. With patience and gentleness, take the time to explain to them what it’s like for you. Tell them to describe their artwork, or the beautiful decorations they see. When you take the time to explain to them, they will begin to understand. They will learn how to be kind and helpful, not just to you, but also to others. If you do your best to be positive around them, they will remember your strength when they are going through future difficulties.

Shopping That Helps

Go shopping. Not for toys and trinkets necessarily, but for helpful aids and assistive technology that could make a big difference. From kitchen gadgets to accessible phones like RealSAM, there’s something in the market for everyone. Maybe this season is about finding out what works for you. If it sounds overwhelming, you can visit a low vision center near you. Many of them have products for demonstrations. You can try out different technologies, get guidance with purchasing and training.

Father Christmas Had Help and So Can You

If you are new to sight loss, you may feel helpless, that there’s very little you can do on your own. It won’t always be this way; you will be able to do many things independently. It takes time to learn and build confidence. In the meantime, if there’s something you can’t do, ask for help. For example, if shopping for gifts is something that brings you joy, and you can’t get to the store on your own or shop online, ask for help. You may eventually get mobility training to get to shops or assistive technology to shop online, but in the meantime, don’t miss out, ask for help.

If you have more critical needs at this time, it’s important to know that there is help and support. Reach out to your local sight loss organization for resources and guidance. They are there for you.

A Vision for the Season

Despite sight loss, it doesn’t take eyes to remember the true themes of the Christmas season, peace, love, joy, and hope. It’s a time to give thanks for blessings, cherish our loved ones and take joy in knowing that there’s a brighter future to come. If sight loss is overwhelming, take it one day at a time. With support and determination, you will soon be stepping into a new year with independence and confidence.

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The post When You’re New to Sight Loss During the Holiday Season appeared first on RealSAM USA.

Embracing retirement years comes with a unique set of adventures. But sometimes, our eyes need a little extra TLC to keep up with the journey. If you or a loved one notices changes in your vision, it’s time to pay attention to what your eyes may be going through. Here are 10 signs of age-related sight loss. Knowing what to be aware of can empower you to be proactive about your health and eye care.

1. Changes in Visual Acuity

Have you found yourself squinting at the morning paper or holding the latest novel closer than usual? It’s not just your imagination playing tricks. These may be early signs of age-related sight loss. It’s important to report changes to your doctor who could refer you for a complete eye check. Early attention could prevent further vision loss and other complications.

2. Increased Sensitivity to Light

Are bright lights causing you to squirm? Do you find yourself reaching for a pair of sunglasses more often? Have you decreased the brightness of screens and devices? Maybe you can’t stand looking at websites with a lot of white space or bright colors. If you’re experiencing these things, your eyes have developed light sensitivity or photophobia. Light sensitivity and glares can be symptoms of age-related eye conditions like glaucoma. The sooner you can pinpoint the cause, the sooner you can work with your doctor towards a treatment or a solution.

3. Altered Color Perception

The world is a vibrant canvas, but what if the colors start to blur? Have you noticed a subtle shift in the hues around you? Is it challenging to distinguish between certain colors? If you’re experiencing a general dimming of your color perception, don’t ignore the changes. These could be indicative of various eye conditions such as cataracts or age-related macular degeneration. It’s a cue to check in with your doctor.

4. Difficulty Adjusting to Change

Is it becoming difficult to adjust from bright to dim environments and vice versa? It could be another sign that you’re experiencing age-related sight loss. Your vision may become blurry or hazy. Or you see spots that take time to clear as you transition from one type of lighting to another. There may be a developing eye condition that needs to be addressed.

5. Impaired Night Vision

Is it harder to navigate at night? If you’re finding yourself squinting and struggling to decern shapes and shadows, don’t blame it on a long day. It could be another sign of potential age-related sight loss. If left unchecked, there’s a greater risk of experiencing accidents, especially if you’re driving. It may also be disorienting to walk around. It’s vital to be aware of your sight at night. You want to avoid seemingly small trips and falls that are much harder for older individuals to recover from.

6. Frequent Prescription Adjustments

How many times have you had to change your prescription glasses in the past couple of years? While it’s great that you can get clearer vision with a new prescription, too many changes may be a sign that it’s time to consult with your doctor. There may be a an underlaying problem that hasn’t been detected. Or you may need to discuss a more lasting solution for better vision, like undergoing cataract removal surgery.

7. Reduced Peripheral Vision

Do you sometimes feel like you missed seeing something because you weren’t looking at it directly? This may be a sign that you’re experiencing reduced peripheral vision, or tunnel vision. Age related eye conditions like glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and diabetes related retinopathy could cause tunnel vision. It’s vital that you get medical advice as soon as possible.

8. Eye Strain and Discomfort

Do you experience eye strain and discomfort? Maybe you feel tightness, pressure, and at times get headaches during or after visually demanding tasks like reading or working on the computer. Yes, it could just be inadequate lighting or focusing on something for too long, but it could also be a sign of age-related vision issues. Be sure to check in with your doctor.

9. Random Mishaps

Have you felt frustrated due to random mishaps you can’t explain? Bumping into furniture or people, knocking over a glass, taking a long time to find an item that was right in front of you, not recognizing someone, misreading a sign or a label, tripping, and missing steps… Don’t feel like you’re being careless or having a streak of bad luck. These occurrences may be because you’re experiencing changes to your vision.

10. Lights and Floaters

Do you sometimes see flashes of lights that aren’t really there? You may randomly see stars, sparks, and flashes of light.  Additionally, eye floaters are spots in your vision that could look like small specks, larger shadows, or even strings. These may be caused by age-related changes in different parts of your eyes. It’s important to note and report your experiences with your doctor or eye care specialist.

Don’t Panic and Don’t Lose Sight

Remember, this journey is about discovery and empowerment. If you’re experiencing any of these signs, it may be sight loss or it may be altogether a completely different issue. Just be sure to consult with your doctor about issues and changes. This will help you make the most informed decision about your eye health. Sight loss or not, don’t lose sight—at this phase of life, you should be enjoying all the freedoms that come with your senior years. You’ve made it this far, don’t let any challenges stop you from being your best.

The post 10 Signs of Age-Related Sight Loss appeared first on RealSAM USA.