June is Cataract Awareness Month. This disease affects about 50 percent of all those that reach the age of 80 and can lead to blindness. It is caused by the clumping of proteins which are found in the lens of the eye, ultimately leading to clouding and vision loss. The good news: 3 million Americans undergo cataract surgery every year and the success rate is 98 percent or higher.
Symptoms
After your loved one reaches the age of 65, it’s important that you schedule a yearly comprehensive eye exam. There are many diseases, such as cataracts, that show no initial symptom or vision loss until damage has occurred. Fortunately, unlike other eye diseases, vision that has been lost due to cataracts can be restored. Advances in surgical procedures have made lens replacement both safe and effective. For some it may even mean no longer needing to wear their reading glasses. A relatively new lens out on the market, called the Accommodating Monofocal Intraocular Lens, is an option for patients that want both good distance and near vision without the use of contact lenses or glasses.
Early symptoms include blurred vision, increase in glare and difficulty reading. Your parent may complain about difficulty driving at night due to the glare of oncoming headlights. Cataracts usually progress slowly with surgery not being recommended until there is sufficient change in one’s vision that it is affecting the ability to safely perform daily activities.
Complications
While complications are rare, they do occur. Fortunately, most can be treated with additional surgery or medication. These include droopy eyelid, an increased sensitivity to light, a detached retina, as well as swelling of the cornea and an increase in pressure inside the eye. Those with other eye conditions are usually at a higher risk for post-surgery complications. For instance, cataract surgery for those with age-related macular degeneration can cause a progression of the disease.
Senior Care Provider
Following surgery, your parent may need some assistance around the house and with the daily activities of living. They may have some sensitivity to light and should avoid lifting heavy objects or bending at the waist. A senior care provider can help keep them safe by monitoring their movement from room to room and help them transfer from chairs, beds and baths. They can also prepare healthy meals, run errands such as grocery shopping, and provide transportation.
Resources
https://nei.nih.gov/eyedata/cataract
http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/cataract-complications.htm
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Senior Care in South Pasadena, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.
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Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
