Someone holding a device that measures healthy vision to demonstrate cataract awareness

Cataract Awareness: 5 Interesting Facts About Aging Vision

Eye health is increasingly important as we age. Maintaining our eye health and regularly visiting the doctor for check-ups pertaining to vision and other illnesses can add years onto our lives.

Medical professionals suggest that seniors over 65 years of age should get their eyes checked annually. This is to detect common eye illnesses and have a treatment plan before symptoms worsen, as well as promote cataract awareness.

Loss of vision among the elderly can become a serious health issue, and it’s imperative that if you have an elderly loved one in your life to make sure to stay on top of it. Once seniors begin to lose their vision, a myriad of other health problems are likely to arise. Make the decisions that will help add several years to your loved one’s life and give you peace of mind.

Eye health and cataract awareness are always important discussions to be having for aging well, so we thought we’d give you five interesting facts about aging vision to help support awareness for aging well with healthy vision:

1. Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in the United States

It’s estimated that almost 30 million Americans have cataracts in their eyes. Cataracts are a “medical condition in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque resulting in blurred vision.” 

This can affect people of all ages, but is most prevalent in those over the age of 40. The CDC states that most eye diseases are age-related and other common eye disorders include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.

2. Cataracts can Occur at Any Age – Even at Birth!

Did you know that you can be born with cataracts in your eyes? Although treatment can be sought out globally, there are still many reasons why someone may not receive the proper care or treatments for cataracts.

These issues include healthcare costs, lack of coverage on insurance, or lack of awareness about eye health.

3. Cataract Surgery is One of the Most Common in the US

Did you know that by the age of 80, most people either have cataracts or have had cataract surgery? Cataract surgery has become a fairly simple procedure and is one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States.

Cataracts are mostly caused by normal changes in your vision that arise as you age, but you can take preventative measures, such as blocking the sun in your eyes with sunglasses or a hat and quitting smoking. Smoking doubles the risk of developing nuclear sclerotic cataracts and triples the risk for subcapsular cataracts.

4. One out of Every Six Americans Over 40 Has Cataracts

Symptoms such as blurred vision or complete loss don’t just affect the elderly. Studies show that cataracts can start developing as early as 40. This means that it’s important to take control of your vision health while still in your mid-life years.

The likelihood of developing cataracts then doubles as you approach your 50s and again in your 60s. By the age of 80, most people have cataracts.

5. Surgery is the Only Effective Treatment for Cataracts

As we previously mentioned, this is one of the most common surgeries in the US and the only way to effectively treat cataracts.

During surgery, the eye doctor replaces the damaged natural lens with an artificial lens. This procedure is recognized as a safe and effective way to remove cataracts from our eyes. There are also laser-assisted and surgical options available.

Innovative Senior Health Care and Cataract Awareness

Here at Reflections Management and Care, we truly care about the elderly senior citizen in your life. We are here to help you manage senior health care options and navigate the chaotic world of finding doctors, treatment professionals, and other care providers. It can be a confusing and stressful time for both the elderly and their families, and we are here to lighten the burden for you.

Contact us at Reflections Management and Care today to learn more about our programs and special options for the elderly loved one in your life. Our specialists are available to help you navigate through the difficult decisions that come with taking care of an elderly parent or loved one.

Check out our new Electronic Caregiver services which help provide families with 24/7 clinical care and peace of mind. These services come in a variety of options and can give your elderly loved one round-the-clock emergency response, as well as medication reminders.

With these Electronic Caregiver devices, seniors can live more independently while providing their families the peace of mind that they will be well taken care of. This is just one of the many caregiving and innovative senior home health care services we offer.

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