When you think about health for seniors and the elderly, do you think about your eyes? Now is the time to think about checking your eyesight since August is “National Eye Exam” month.
Having your eyes checked is important for many reasons. First, an eye doctor can catch the small things with your eyes before they become the big problems that can become permanent.
With aging, the risk increases for struggles with vision. Which makes making an appointment with your eye doctor all the more important.
When to Schedule Eye Exams
The general rule for people under the age of 60 is to have an eye exam every two years. That drops to an eye exam every year for people age 61 or older.
With an eye exam, an eye doctor can find other health problems. Examples of other health issues that an eye exam may reveal include:
- Early onset glaucoma
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that people over the age of 65 get their eyes dilated with an annual exam. Getting your eyes dilated lets the eye doctor get a better look at your retina and optic nerve. This lets them pinpoint any possible problems with your eyes and have an early intervention to prevent bigger issues.
The 5 Conditions an Eye Exam May Detect
Here are five conditions that an annual eye exam can detect in older adults:
- Glaucoma—A glaucoma is actually a group of diseases. These diseases affect the optic nerve in the eye, possibly leading to serious vision loss. Catching glaucoma early can help prevent blindness.
- Macular degeneration—This is a condition related to age. It affects the light-sensitive tissue in the eye and may lead to blindness.
- Retinal tearing—For seniors and the elderly, they are at higher risk for small lacerations in the inner lining of the eye. This condition may lead to a dangerous retinal detachment or other conditions that affect vision, such as black spots or floaters.
- Cataracts—This is a condition that leads to a clouding of the eye’s lens. Surgery can typically correct cataracts.
- Diabetic retinopathy—This condition is related to diabetes and causes damage to the blood vessels in the back of the eye. It’s also the top cause of blindness in older adults.
A CARING-FIRST ENVIRONMENT
Senior living communities like Regency at Bellaire at Stone Port are precisely that—a community. Residents become friends and even family, and a caring team is there to help them maintain their quality of life.
At Bellaire at Stone Port, we offer both Assisted Living and Memory Care and we care with Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Residents first and Teamwork. We like to call it Caring with H.E.A.R.T.™!
If you believe a senior living community would benefit your loved one, get in touch with us. Schedule a visit or download a brochure today!