Older Americans Can Stay Safe and Independent With Low Vision
The number of older Americans with low vision is expected to double in the coming years, as more people are living longer. Low vision describes poor vision that can’t be fixed or improved with glasses, contact lenses or surgery.
People with low vision often have blind spots that can make it difficult or impossible to drive, read or see faces. But the tragedy isn’t that people have lost vision, it’s that most of them believe nothing can be done to improve their quality of life. Eye Care of Delaware is taking the opportunity of September’s Healthy Aging Month to let people know they can retain their independence and stay safe, despite declining vision.
Common Causes of Low Vision in Older Americans
Age-related macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of low vision. Other common contributors include glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and inherited retinal diseases. Whatever the cause, vision rehabilitation helps people make the most of the vision they have left so they can live as independently as possible.
The field of vision rehabilitation has advanced significantly over the years, offering even more effective technologies and strategies. Today, eye doctors can offer solutions that range from a simple, portable video magnifier that can enlarge text and objects, to high-tech glasses with cameras that allow people to read text and see faces.
More Older Americans Will Suffer From Low Vision – Here Are Some Tips to Make Life Easier and Safer
Improve Contrast
Put dark place mats under white place settings, buy rugs that are a contrasting color with the floor – and kitchen towels and cutting boards that contrast with the countertop. Use contrasting colored tape along the edges of rugs, stairsteps and lamp shades.
Improve Lighting
Every year, about 3 million older Americans are treated for injuries from falls, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many of these falls are caused by low vision. Add lighting to staircases and dark hallways. Remove rugs from hallways to prevent tripping. Task lighting in the kitchen can also make food preparation safer and easier.
Reduce Clutter and Organize
A cluttered house is more difficult to navigate, and can contribute to falls and frustration. When each item has a specific place and is identified with a high-contrast label, it’s easier to locate items needed for everyday living.
Embrace Technology
Books on tape and personal voice-activated assistants, like Google Home or Amazon’s Alexa, can be enormously helpful for people who can no longer see well enough to read, dial a phone or set a thermostat.
Visit an Eye Doctor
Most importantly, see an eye doctor to determine the full extent of vision loss and exact location of blind spots. A low vision specialist can then recommend the best techniques and devices to help patients get around their individual challenges.
Get Regular Vision Check-Ups for Early Treatment
Unfortunately, many patients are referred for vision rehabilitation as a last resort, once their eye disease has advanced to a late stage. Refractive surgery is most effective when introduced early in a patient’s visual loss, so they can involve themselves in the process as they learn how to move around in their new world.
“The prospect of being unable to drive, read or see loved one’s faces is frightening and can lead some people to withdraw from life,” said John D. Shepherd, M.D., a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “While there isn’t one strategy or tool that works for every person, vision rehabilitation offers hope. It can help people stay in their homes and keep doing the things they love to do.”
Don’t Wait – Schedule an Eye Appointment Today!
Early treatment is most effective in treating eye diseases and conditions. So, visit your eye doctor regularly. To make an appointment with Eye Care of Delaware, call (302) 454-8800 or contact us online.
