When your elderly loved one starts to have vision problems, it can be upsetting for everyone. Becoming dependent on others because you can’t see well is frustrating, and some of the most common illnesses that your loved one may deal with have no known cure. The good news is that regular eye exams can detect these problems, and usually before vision loss is too extreme.
Cataracts
Cataracts are relatively painless, but they can cause blindness eventually. What happens is that the lens of the eye starts clouding over because of a protein buildup. While some younger people can develop cataracts, they typically only develop in older people. Sometimes cataracts can be corrected with prescription lenses, but often surgery is necessary to remove the cataract itself.
Diabetic Retinopathy
The retina is a nerve in the back of the eye that transmits the images from your eyes to your brain for the brain to process. Some people with diabetes develop an illness called diabetic retinopathy that involves weakened blood vessels in the eye. When the blood vessels weaken, blood and other eye fluids can leak into the eye, causing blurry vision. In the case of diabetic retinopathy, the condition is exacerbated by high blood sugar levels. Eventually, the retina may detach. While there is no cure, laser treatment can help if the illness is diagnosed early enough.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma occurs when pressure in the eye builds up and damages the optic nerve. It's often hereditary, and there are often no symptoms or pain until the illness progresses. Glaucoma can cause blindness. Regular eye exams can help to detect glaucoma before your loved one loses his vision entirely. Vision loss cannot be restored, but early diagnosis can slow glaucoma down.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is an age-related eye illness in which the main part of the retina, called the macula, starts to break down. Macular degeneration is hereditary, but it can be exacerbated by health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. While there is no cure for macular degeneration, the illness can be slowed down if it's diagnosed early enough.