One of the health problems associated with the aging process is visual impairment. This is common because aging causes a decrease in the function of various body organs, such as the nervous system, heart and blood vessels, and sensory organs, including the eyes.
Visual impairment can make it difficult for sufferers to carry out daily activities, risk of injury due to falls, even depression due to this limitation.
Vision Disorders in the Elderly
Some visual impairments that are often found in the elderly are:
1. Cataracts
Cataract is a condition that causes the lens to become cloudy, so that sufferers experience:
- Blurred vision (such as seeing smoke or clouds or faded colors)
- Inability to see in low light
- Glare when you see the light
- Double vision
2. Presbyopia
Presbyopia is a short-term visual impairment due to decreased elasticity of the lens and function of the eyeball muscles as we age. Complaints that are usually experienced are:
- Decreased ability to see at close range
- Fatigue or aching in the eyes
- Headache
3. Dry eyes
Dry eye is a condition that occurs due to decreased tear production and evaporation of the tear layer. Symptoms that can be felt can be:
- Eyes are red and feel hot
- Blurred vision
- Eye pain
- Like there is sand in the eye
- Eyes get tired quickly
4. Inflammation and Infection
Infection also often occurs in the elderly due to impaired tear disposal, damage to the eye lining, and decreased immunity. Eye infections that often occur in the elderly are conjunctivitis, keratitis, and endophthalmitis.
Typically, patients who experience eye infections will complain of pain, glare, and redness in the eyes, and vision problems.
5. Glaucoma
In glaucoma, there is a blockage in the flow of eyeball fluid, so that the fluid will accumulate and cause pressure in the eyeball to increase. The high pressure in the eyeball will damage the visual nerve fibers.
The main symptom of glaucoma is a decrease in the width of the visual field, which is usually complained of as seen from a keyhole. These symptoms are not significant at an early stage, so they are difficult to diagnose.
6. Retinopathy
Common health problems suffered by the elderly, such as hypertension and high blood sugar levels, can trigger retinopathy or damage to the retinal layer. People with retinopathy usually experience symptoms such as:
- Blurred vision
- Objects float (floaters) or the presence of black areas in vision
- Difficulty distinguishing colors
- Nighttime viewing disorder
People who are over 65 years old are advised to have an eye examination every 1-2 years, even if there are no complaints. While the elderly with diabetes mellitus are advised to do eye examinations every year since being diagnosed, and the elderly who have a risk of glaucoma are advised to do an eye examination every 6-12 months.
In addition to regular eye check-ups, you are encouraged to adopt a healthy diet, maintain hygiene, exercise diligently, and get enough rest to prevent vision problems in old age. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor if you experience complaints related to the eye.
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