Seniors and Cataracts: Detection and Support 

North Vancouver Senior Home Care  |  July 18, 2023

Cataracts: Getting Seniors the Help They Need in North Vancouver and West Vancouver, BC

Seniors and Cataracts | There are preventive measures seniors can take that may deter cataracts from developing. Cataracts most commonly affect seniors, especially those over the age of 80. Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and affects the retina’s ability to properly interpret and transmit signals of light to the part of the brain that governs sight. When the brain receives a cloudy signal, vision then becomes cloudy or blurred. Although rare cases exist in which babies are born with congenital cataracts.

The Facts About Seniors and Cataracts:

Who is at risk for cataracts?

The causes of cataracts can vary. As mentioned above, some can be present at birth. In adults, some cataracts are caused by ultraviolet light exposure, while others are the result of previous eye injury. Cataracts can also form after eye surgery or as a result of diabetes. Some reports link smoking, alcohol consumption, sustained exposure to sunlight, and/or steroid usage to cataracts.

Seniors and Cataracts

When cataracts develop due to aging, as most do, they are most commonly a result of the proteins contained in the eye’s lens bunching together and in turn, distorting vision. Cataracts can affect one or both eyes. Sometimes small cataracts only affect partial vision. However, generally, cataracts continue to grow larger over time, causing multiple vision problems.

Signs of cataracts developing:

• Blurred vision
• Difficulty reading
• Poor vision at night
• Halos around lights and/or sensitivity to bright lights
• Discoloration of the eye’s lens – usually yellow/brown
• Brown tinge to things you can see and/or colors seem dull
• Inability to tell the difference between blue, purple, and black colors (in advanced stages)

Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention

Those in the medical field recommend comprehensive eye exams every two years for adults 60 years and older. These types of exams can detect early signs of cataracts, as well as other diseases that affect the eyes (e.g., glaucoma, macular degeneration). For cataracts in the early stages, prescription glasses may help alleviate some of the early symptoms. In other cases, surgery is needed to replace the old lens with an artificial lens.

Seniors and Cataracts: Preventable Measures

While many cataracts are caused by the simple wear and tear on the eye’s lens as people age, there are preventative measures one can take that may deter cataracts from developing. These include:

• Refrain from smoking, drinking, and steroid use (unless steroids are deemed necessary by your doctor to treat a medical condition)
• Wear sunglasses that protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet light when outdoors
• Make sure your diet contains green, leafy vegetables and other foods that have high levels of antioxidants

Comfort Keepers® can talk with seniors to ensure they understand the warning signs and symptoms of cataracts. Encourage a visit to a vision specialist if there is a concern. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the chances of treating conditions that affect the eyes as people age.

Comfort Keepers® North Vancouver and West Vancouver Can Help with In-Home Elderly Care Services!

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care. Our senior care agency offers dementia care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® is a Senior Care Agency That Can Make a Difference with Interactive Caregiving™

Our expert in-home caregivers will strive to ensure your senior loved one has the best quality of life possible, bringing joy and good health to their home environment. Our Interactive Caregiving™ program ensures all needs in terms of safety, nutrition, mental well-being, and everyday activities of home care services are met.

Quality and Accredited Elderly Care In-Home: Happier, Healthier, and at Home with 24/7 Care Opportunities!

Have you been thinking about Nursing Homes as a solution? Do you need a Home Care solution for you or a loved one? Comfort Keepers® supports seniors in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and the surrounding areas, enabling them to maintain happy, healthy lives in the comfort of their own homes.

We achieve this by delivering top-quality, compassionate care and safety technology solutions, fostering independence, and enhancing overall well-being.

Moreover, our seasoned in-home caregivers are carefully chosen based on their empathetic qualities. Our care centers around companionship for seniors. Empathetic care originates from the soul and allows us to meet our client’s requirements. 

Senior Homecare Near Me

Contact the Comfort Keepers® North Vancouver and West Vancouver office to learn more about our unique service offering.

Comfort Keepers is an Accredited Senior Care Agency in North and West Vancouver, BC

Comfort Keepers®, the premium home care service for Seniors on the North Shore, was awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada. Achieving the highest available certification in Canada for Accredited Home care services demonstrates Comfort Keepers®’s commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in North Vancouver and West Vancouver.

References
The National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health. Cataracts: signs, symptoms, and diagnosis. Retrieved on July 5, 2012, from agingcare.com/Articles/
What-is-a-Cataract-age-related-eye-diseases-108282.htm

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