10 Signs of Age-Related Sight Loss

Guenivir Kendrick — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 09:00:49 +0000

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.

Overcoming the 3 Most Common Age-Related Conditions Causing Visual Impairment

Guenivir Kendrick — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 00:59:00 +0000

Every stage of life has its own unique set of challenges, and for older people, age-related eye conditions that result in visual impairment or blindness are a common occurrence. Vision loss can be overwhelming, but it need not be an obstacle that negatively impacts quality of life.

Three Common Age-Related Eye Conditions

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss worldwide. It is a progressive condition where aging causes damage to the macula, the part of the eye that controls sharp, detailed central vision. This causes the central visual field to become blurry or to develop dark spots. It can also cause vision to become distorted where objects seem to be displaced and/or straight lines appear wavy.

Glaucoma can occur at any age, but it is another leading cause of vision loss for people over the age of 60. Glaucoma occurs when fluid build-up causes high eye pressure. This ultimately damages the optic nerve, the part of the eye that delivers visual input to the brain. Glaucoma is not easily detected, because its effects are so gradual and decreased vision is not noticeable until its later stages.

Cataracts occur in older adults because with time the lenses in the eyes may break down and begin to leak protein that clumps together. When untreated it causes blurry, hazy, or cloudy vision.

Taking the first Step to Overcome Vision Loss

With vision loss comes a slew of limitations. No longer being able to drive, read regular print, clearly see the faces of loved ones, and perform daily task with ease can be very discouraging for someone who has always been able to do these things.

Encouraging a positive outlook is the first step to overcoming any difficulty in life and it’s no different when facing vision impairment. It’s important to understand that medical conditions do not define individuals and people have the power to choose to live meaningful, purposeful, and even joyful lives regardless of their age or physical disabilities.

Support & Resources

From there, it’s a matter of finding real solutions to accomplish everyday goals. Staying connected to family and friends and getting involved with a church and/or a support group can greatly ease this process and increase confidence in maintaining independence.

Fortunately, we live in a time where there are countless options available as far as having tools for the elderly community. Whether it’s services like ride sharing and personal shopping assistance, or assistive devices like magnifiers and money identifiers, or high-tech assistive technology like screen readers and a fully voice operated smart phone like the RealSAM Pocket—there are real solutions to adapting to life with vision loss.

By Guenivir Kendrick with help from ChatGPT