VISION ISSUES
It is important to understand the difference between normal vision change with age and visual impairment from specific medical conditions. Only an eye exam can distinguish between normal age related changes in eye sight and serious visual impairment.
Once a person reaches the age of fifty their eye sight generally begins to steadily decline. Normal age related decline in vision is experienced as follows: contrast sensitivity, glare sensitivity, dark adaptation, and depth perception issues. Seniors require more time for their eyes to adjust to various intensity levels of light. Direct light coming through windows or being reflected from cabinets and other furniture, or unshaded light bulbs are most common examples of this problem. Contrast sensitivity can make it more difficult for seniors to notice various objects and possibly fall over them. The various levels of steps or stairs can become hard to distinguish or where a rug may begin on the floor. Depth perception can affect the ability to judge distance and identify objects. Shadows, low light or even excessive light can make it difficult to distinguish items on the floor where the person is walking.
When a senior changes their eye glass prescription or changes the type of lens (such as multifocal) the changes to the various types of perception can increase the risk of falling until the person adjusts to the new eye glasses. The environment can also affect the type of glasses the senior might consider wearing. If the person is outdoors a single lens type of glasses might be preferable to avoid perception problems and judging distances while walking. Also glasses which change their shading based on the intensity of light may cause problems with falling when moving rapidly from an area of bright light to less well lit areas.
Visual impairment usually results from an eye condition or disease that can not be corrected by glasses, and which may require medication or surgery. Many medical related vision problems are preventable or treatable if caught in time by the doctor. A senior may feel their eye sight is not bad enough to go see their eye care professional or they may fear receiving some bad news regarding their vision. However, ignoring a problem is usually only a guarantee of a bigger future problem. When an eye condition such as cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration occur along with normal age related vision problems there will be an even greater loss of visual function.
Once a person reaches the age of fifty their eye sight generally begins to steadily decline. Normal age related decline in vision is experienced as follows: contrast sensitivity, glare sensitivity, dark adaptation, and depth perception issues. Seniors require more time for their eyes to adjust to various intensity levels of light. Direct light coming through windows or being reflected from cabinets and other furniture, or unshaded light bulbs are most common examples of this problem. Contrast sensitivity can make it more difficult for seniors to notice various objects and possibly fall over them. The various levels of steps or stairs can become hard to distinguish or where a rug may begin on the floor. Depth perception can affect the ability to judge distance and identify objects. Shadows, low light or even excessive light can make it difficult to distinguish items on the floor where the person is walking.
When a senior changes their eye glass prescription or changes the type of lens (such as multifocal) the changes to the various types of perception can increase the risk of falling until the person adjusts to the new eye glasses. The environment can also affect the type of glasses the senior might consider wearing. If the person is outdoors a single lens type of glasses might be preferable to avoid perception problems and judging distances while walking. Also glasses which change their shading based on the intensity of light may cause problems with falling when moving rapidly from an area of bright light to less well lit areas.
Visual impairment usually results from an eye condition or disease that can not be corrected by glasses, and which may require medication or surgery. Many medical related vision problems are preventable or treatable if caught in time by the doctor. A senior may feel their eye sight is not bad enough to go see their eye care professional or they may fear receiving some bad news regarding their vision. However, ignoring a problem is usually only a guarantee of a bigger future problem. When an eye condition such as cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration occur along with normal age related vision problems there will be an even greater loss of visual function.
