There are many elderly adults who experience vision issues. Some of these issues will develop over time, while others will happen quickly. If you or elderly care providers are helping to care for your elderly loved one, there are some things that you should know about vision issues. The first thing to mention is that elderly adults who experience some vision issues could have an age-related eye disease. By having your elderly loved ones vision checked at least once every year can help to catch diseases early on.
Vision Issues That Warrant a Doctor Call or Visit
If your elderly loved one is experiencing certain vision issues, they should call their eye doctor and schedule an appointment. Some of the vision problems that warrant a call or visit to the eye doctor include the following:
- Chronic dry eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Cloudy vision
- Constant tearing
- Issues reading
- Eye-strain
- Eyelids twitching
- Headache
- Eyelid pain
- Burning in the eye
- Seeing a yellowish color in vision
- Eyelids inflamed
- Cant tell the difference between green and blue
These issues arent generally an immediate or emergent cause for concern. However, they could signify an issue with your elderly loved ones vision. If your elderly loved one has these vision issues, you should schedule them an appointment with their eye doctor as soon as possible.
Vision Issues That Warrant Emergency Care
There are also some vision issues that require emergency care. If your elderly loved one is experiencing any of the following vision issues, make sure they get immediate care from their doctor or from 9-1-1:
- Double vision
- Blurry vision that comes on suddenly
- Uncontrolled eye movements
- Loss of vision in at least one eye that happens suddenly
These vision issues require immediate, emergent medical care, as they could signify a much larger health problem.
Many elderly adults or their family members will try self-diagnosing their vision issues. This is never a good idea. It is important that any vision issues are promptly assessed by qualified doctors or other emergency care personnel. While some of the vision issues mentioned above arent going to be anything serious, they should still be checked out. In the case that there is an emergent situation, getting the proper care immediately is the best. It is always best to be safe than sorry when it comes to vision issues. If your elderly loved one is having trouble with their vision, get it checked out.
Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/features/healthyvision/index.html
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2648633
If you or an aging loved one is considering elderly care in Minneapolis, MN, and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.
