Tag Archives: Aging

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Aging & Visual Health

SPOT PROBLEMS EARLY!

Since visual problems are increasingly common with age – and often preventable – it is important to be regularly checked by an eye care specialist (optometrist or ophthalmologist). He/she will check your vision and eye fluid pressure, and get a good look at the outside (cornea) and inside (retina) of your eyes.

PROTECT YOUR PRECIOUS EYES!

  • Wear sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat.
  • See your doctor regularly to check for diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure; both can cause visual problems if not treated.

RED FLAGS FOR SEEING AN EYE CARE SPECIALIST RIGHT AWAY:

  • Blurring or loss of vision
  • Double vision
  • Flashing of light
  • Pain in your eye(s)

EYE DISORDERS & DISEASES:

The following conditions may have few or no early symptoms, but may, if left untreated, lead to vision loss or blindness. Regular eye exams are key! A few common conditions:

  • Cataracts (cloudy areas which may cause blurred or hazy vision)
  • Corneal diseases (from scratches to infection; may lead to halo effect in vision)
  • Dry eye(s) (when tear glands don’t work well)
  • Glaucoma (elevated eye chamber pressure)
  • Retinal disorders (such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy)

TIPS FOR LOW VISION

(a common problem among the elderly):

If glasses, medicine, and/or surgery won’t help, consider these tips:

  • Upgrade lighting
  • Use large print materials
  • Use magnifying aids or audio tapes, etc.

HELPFUL RESOURCE

National Eye Institute Hotline: 1-301-496-5248

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Aging & Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting elderly adults.
Approximately one in three people ages 65-74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of adults older than 75 have trouble hearing.

SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS

See your doctor if you:

  • Have trouble hearing over the telephone.
  • Often ask people to repeat themselves.
  • Need to turn up the TV volume that others can hear well.
  • Have difficulty hearing because of background noise.

Sudden Deafness is a medical emergency. Immediately seeks medical care!

CAUSES OF HEARING LOSS

  • Inner ear damage from constant loud noises (e.g. lawn mowers, high-volume music, use of headphones, heavy machinery, trains); may result in permanent damage
  • Accumulation of ear wax and/or fluid build-up
  • Ear infections (viruses and bacteria)
  • Foreign objects placed into the ear(s)
  • Subsequent rupture of the eardrum
  • Heart conditions, strokes, tumors
  • Medications (e.g. large doses of aspirin, NSAIDS, certain antibiotics)

DEVICES TO ASSIST HEARING

  • Hearing Aids: These popular devices help amplify sounds. There are many types of hearing aids; an audiologist (hearing aid specialist) will help you pick the best one for your needs.
  • Alerting Devices: These connect to doorbells, alarm clocks, and smoke detectors to send a loud signal or blinking light.
  • Cochlear Implants: These are electronic devices for people with severe hearing loss.

TIPS

IF YOU HAVE A HEARING PROBLEM

  • Don’t keep it a secret! Hearing loss is nothing to be ashamed of.
  • When speaking with someone, let that person know you have a hearing problem; if needed, ask him or her to reword a sentence and try again; ask people to face you and to speak more clearly and loudly.