Home Care in Los Altos CA
It’s considered normal wear and tear and the effects of aging when presbyopia, or the close up vision required for reading, begins to diminish. And, to a large degree, it is. This requires nothing more than corrective lenses. The more serious age-related eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy have a greater affect on the quality of life and require a prompt diagnosis in order to limit their damaging effects.
Glaucoma is a condition in which increased pressure within the eyeball causes damage to the optic nerve. It can sneak up on you without any outward signs or symptoms demonstrating themselves. In fact, only half of people with glaucoma are even aware that they have it. Peripheral (side view) vision is the first to go with an increasing number of blind spots becoming apparent. Unfortunately, this symptom often materializes only after the optic nerve has been seriously damaged. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness.
Macular degeneration occurs when tissue in the macula—an area of the retina that’s responsible for direct vision—starts to break down. The symptoms develop gradually and may include increased difficulty when adapting to low-light levels, blurred vision and the need for brighter lighting when reading, decreased ability to see colors and fine detail, visual distortions and reduced central vision. Macular degeneration is the most common cause of blindness in adults over 55. The prognosis of this disease is difficult to predict as it progresses at different rates.
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that results in damage to the blood vessels of the retina. Initially, no symptoms may be apparent and it often goes undetected until vision loss occurs. Other symptoms may include floaters—spots or dark strings floating across your line of sight and blurred vision. It is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes. Early detection and treatment can reduce the risk of blindness by 95 percent.
Helping your Parent
It’s important that your aging parent maintain regular appointments with their ophthalmologist. Early diagnosis is essential to controlling eye diseases. The damages that have occurred cannot be reversed but, in many cases, advancement of the disease can be slowed down or halted. Like most diseases, diet and exercise play important roles in their management. Be sure your loved one is exercising at least 30 minutes a day 5 days per week and that they are eating eye-healthy meals that incorporate food rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants important to eye health that are found in leafy greens, broccoli and eggs.
Home Care Provider
Due to the progressive nature of most eye disease, it’s a good idea to get a caregiving team in place. A home care provider can assist you parent with the daily activities of living and provide needed transportation and companionship as the changes associated with aging unfold.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering in-home care in Los Altos, CA, please contact the caring staff at Bay Area Home Care. Call today 650-938-4031.