Seniors and Cataracts: Detection and Support 

Edmonton Senior Health  |  July 18, 2023

Cataracts: Getting Seniors the Help They Need in Edmonton

Seniors and Cataracts | There are preventive measures seniors can take that may deter cataracts from developing.

Cataracts most commonly affect seniors, especially those over the age of 80. Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and affects the retina’s ability to properly interpret and transmit signals of light to the part of the brain that governs sight. When the brain receives a cloudy signal, vision then becomes cloudy or blurred. Although rare cases exist in which babies are born with congenital cataracts.

Edmonton Seniors and Cataracts

Who is at risk?
The causes of cataracts can vary. As mentioned above, some can be present at birth. In adults, some cataracts are caused by ultraviolet light exposure, while others are the result of previous eye injury. Cataracts can also form after eye surgery or as a result of diabetes. Some reports link smoking, alcohol consumption, sustained exposure to sunlight, and/or steroid usage to cataracts.

When cataracts develop due to aging, as most do, they are most commonly a result of the proteins contained in the eye’s lens bunching together and in turn, distorting vision. Cataracts can affect one or both eyes. Sometimes small cataracts only affect partial vision. However, generally, cataracts continue to grow larger over time, causing multiple vision problems.

Signs of cataracts developing

• Blurred vision
• Difficulty reading
• Poor vision at night
• Halos around lights and/or sensitivity to bright lights
• Discoloration of the eye’s lens – usually yellow/brown
• Brown tinge to things you can see and/or colors seem dull
• Inability to tell the difference between blue, purple, and black colors (in advanced stages)

Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention

Those in the medical field recommend comprehensive eye exams every two years for adults 60 years and older. These types of exams can detect early signs of cataracts, as well as other diseases that affect the eyes (e.g., glaucoma, macular degeneration). For cataracts in the early stages, prescription glasses may help alleviate some of the early symptoms. In other cases, surgery is needed to replace the old lens with an artificial lens.

While many cataracts are caused by the simple wear and tear on the eye’s lens as people age, there are preventative measures one can take that may deter cataracts from developing. These include:

• Refrain from smoking, drinking, and steroid use (unless steroids are deemed necessary by your doctor to treat a medical condition)
• Wear sunglasses that protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet light when outdoors
• Make sure your diet contains green, leafy vegetables and other foods that have high levels of antioxidants

Seniors and Cataracts: Comfort Keepers® Edmonton Can Help with Homecare Services!

We can talk with seniors to ensure they understand the warning signs and symptoms of cataracts. Encourage a visit to a vision specialist if there is a concern. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the chances of treating conditions that affect the eyes as people age.

Comfort Keepers® in Edmonton Can Help!

If you are worried about the health and welfare of elderly loved ones, Comfort Keepers® has your back. Our Interactive Caregiving™ methodology guarantees a life of maximum quality for senior clients. The platform helps our eldercare services ensure safety, nutrition, psychological health, physical well-being, and daily tasks.

We are particularly selective when choosing our caregivers, looking for those who demonstrate a capacity for empathy, not only for our respite care services but for all the services we provide for your loved ones. Empathy is the key to meeting our client’s needs and delivering quality care that comes from the heart.

Home is the best place to be. We’re proud to provide home care throughout the Edmonton region that keeps seniors safe in their homes.

Comfort Keepers, a renowned in-home care provider for Seniors in Edmonton, has been presented with Accreditation Canada’s “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal. This distinction, the highest certification available in Canada for Home Care services, showcases Comfort Keepers’ dedication to providing reliable, superior home care to its elderly clients not just in Edmonton but also in its immediate surroundings.

Learn more about our unique service offering by contacting the Comfort Keepers Edmonton office, homecare near me in Edmonton, AB.

References
The National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health. Cataracts: signs, symptoms, and diagnosis. Retrieved on July 5, 2012, from agingcare.com/Articles/
What-is-a-Cataract-age-related-eye-diseases-108282.htm

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