Healthy vision is something that people take for granted as being a permanent condition until there are signs of vision impairment related to aging, disease, or injury. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness, and it impacts millions of people worldwide. However, focusing on increasing recognition and awareness of symptoms of vision decline can help.
Glaucoma develops when there is damage to the eye’s optic nerve because of a very high level of eye pressure. Unfortunately, most people living with glaucoma are unaware that they have the disease and typically don’t display any early warning signs of the eyes’ degeneration. It is critical to look out for signs of vision-related health problems starting at age 40 and older, and persons over 60 are at high risk of developing blindness caused by glaucoma.
Are There Different Types of Glaucoma?
Open-angle glaucoma is one of the most common forms of the disease. However, if a person is diagnosed with abnormally high eye pressure levels, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will develop or currently have glaucoma. Frequently getting vision checkups and seeking treatment can help slow down the eye’s degeneration and vision loss progress.
Having a greater awareness of glaucoma’s prevalence and knowing the different forms can help affected persons take preventative measures before ultimately losing their vision. Adults residing in senior living communities may be most interested in learning more about protecting their eyesight, health, and quality of life. The following types of glaucoma are all possible contributing factors to impaired sight and reduced eye function.
- Traumatic Glaucoma
- Uveitic Glaucoma
- Neovascular Glaucoma
- Secondary Glaucoma
- Pigmentary Glaucoma
- IridoCorneal Endothelial Syndrome
- Pseudoexfoliative Glaucoma
When it comes to a disease like glaucoma, most eye care professionals typically categorize each form as open-angle or angle-closure. While there is no treatment to reverse damages caused to the eye resulting from glaucoma, early detection and treatment can slow down glaucoma’s progress. For seniors living with dementia, mobility issues, and low or severely reduced vision, residing in a community that provides memory care may be helpful.
Looking Out for Warning Signs of Vision Loss
Problems with eyesight can strike at any time, but it’s typically more likely to develop later in life. There are no immediate or apparent signs that glaucoma is gradually stealing away the ability to see. However, some symptoms should raise a red flag and encourage a visit to the optometrist for testing.
Different forms of glaucoma are primarily related to experiencing extremely high pressure in the eye, which can eventually lead to developing blindness. But, there are specific health problems to be aware of that are warning signs of impending vision loss. It may be time to schedule an eye appointment if the following things happen.
- Sudden vision loss
- Persistent headaches
- Blurry vision
- Seeing halos around lights
- Eye pain
- Nausea
- Faded peripheral vision
Prevention is the best medicine, so it’s wise not to wait if the problems listed above are constantly popping up. Glaucoma is a silent destroyer of eyesight and impacts the lives of millions around the world. There is no cure for this disease, but early detection and treatment can help lessen the aggressiveness trajectory toward vision loss.
Compassionate Care for Those At Risk of Sight Loss
Life can be incredibly hard for children or relatives who are actively caring for aging adults with multiple health problems. Not only is the deterioration of the eye and vision loss a problem, but the decline of cognitive abilities and dementia can also be painful to experience. Senior adults often require round-the-clock care, which can be emotionally, physically, and financially challenging.
Residents who choose an assisted living community as their home can help reduce the burden on caretakers and enjoy a high quality of life in dignity. Many residences built with senior adults in mind provide housekeeping for units, on-site staff 24/7, restaurant-level meals, and escorts to medical appointments and daily activities. Life inside a residence with caring staff, amenities and scheduled events are never dull.
Living with glaucoma is particularly frustrating to those affected by the disease, as the eye’s vision steadily worsens. Being able to execute everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, and preparing meals can become nearly impossible without assistance. Transitioning from living fully independently to utilizing various resources to function requires patience and compassion.
About Crescendo Senior Living
Crescendo Senior Living is an assisted living community with spacious accommodations and specialized care for seniors affected by dementia in beautiful Placentia, California. The residence focuses on ensuring a high quality of life, quality meals, and engaging activities for older adults under their care.
