Some of the most enjoyable events in life are the simple pleasures.
Catching a movie with your husband or wife, watching your grandchildren
play in the backyard or sitting on the beach and enjoying the sunset
can be priceless moments. Many older adults feel that these simple pleasures
are beginning to slip away as they experience problems with their vision.
Losing vision is common for older adults, but there are steps you can
take to battle vision loss.
The American Academy of Opthalmology reports that cataracts occur in
half of the population between the ages of 52 and 64. Most of the people
included in this population don’t experience vision problems until
they reach 65. Most people age 75 and beyond have a cataract, with half
of the people between 75 and 85 experiencing vision loss.
A cataract is a cloudy or opaque area in the normally transparent lens
of the eye. This condition prevents light from passing through the lens
and focusing on the retina, the light-sensitive tissue lining the back
of the eye. Symptoms include blurred vision; light and glare sensitivity;
increased nearsightedness; or distorted images in either eye.
A nuclear cataract, which is associated with aging, is the most common
type of cataract. Another type is a cortical cataract, which is usually
associated with diabetes. Lastly, a subcapsular cataract occurs in those
who have diabetes or high myopia, in adults with retinitis pigmentosa,
and in people taking steroids.
Today, there is hope for people who are experience vision loss as a
result of cataracts. Wearing sunglasses or a hat that shades the sun
from your eyes is good practice to reduce your eyes’ exposure to
UV light. Studies have shown that those who spend much of their time
in the sun or who live in high altitudes develop cataracts earlier than
others. Regular eye exams are also important.
When poor vision due to cataracts threatens your quality of life, surgery
is an option that should be discussed with your opthalmologist. Cataract
surgery is the number one therapeutic surgical procedure performed on
Americans 65 and older. Many surgical procedures to correct cataracts
are covered by Medicare. If you are interested in learning more about
surgical options, consult with your physician.
To learn more about any of the eight Saint Barnabas Health Care System
Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers located throughout New Jersey, please
call 1-888-SBHS-123.
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