Elder Care in River Oaks TX
Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness nationwide and are especially common among seniors. The National Eye Institute reported that by the age of 80, over half of Americans will either have cataracts or will have a cataract-related surgery. This eye condition creates a clouding over the lens of the eye, making images look blurry. It can affect one or both eyes and will eventually require the assistance of an home care provider when the senior is no longer able to see things clearly, which can make it extremely difficult to accomplish everyday chores and tasks alone.
Knowing the symptoms, causes, and treatment of cataracts will ensure that your loved one gets the care they need before their vision is permanently damaged.
Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of this eye disease can be similar to other vision problems, so your loved one will need to visit their optometrist if they notice any of the following issues.
- Colors appear to be faded
- Vision is cloudy or blurry
- Poor night vision
- Increased sensitivity to glare, headlights, sunlight, or lamps. Your loved one may also notice a halo around the lights.
- Double vision or the appearance of multiple images in one eye
- Constantly needing to change the prescription of their glasses or contact lenses
Causes
While there are several environmental causes to this vision condition, most people get cataracts due to their age. The reason age is a major cause is because some of the protein may clump together and develop a cloud in a small area of the lens on one or both eyes. As it progresses, the small cloudy area may grow, covering the entire lens. Smoking and diabetes are other causes behind this eye condition. The cloudier your loved one’s vision becomes, the more they will need home care services to have assistance around the house and for transportation to appointments and to run errands.
Treatment
Fortunately, cataracts can be removed in a variety of ways, depending on its severity. Elders who get the condition detected early can improve the symptoms with a new eyeglass prescription, anti-glare glasses, magnifying glasses, or brighter lights. Surgery is another option for those whose vision has been extremely affected by cataracts, making it difficult to do everyday activities, such as reading, driving, or watching TV. There are benefits and risks associated with any surgery, so your loved one should discuss this option with their optometrist to determine if it is the right treatment option.
Cataracts can cause severe vision loss, so this information should help you and your loved one come up with a plan to remove cataracts and preserve their eyesight.
Source:
https://nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts
If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in River Oaks, TX, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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