March is Save Your Vision Month. One of the best steps toward saving vision is understanding what can cause vision loss and knowing the risk factors and symptoms of that condition so that you can act upon any vision changes immediately, increasing the ability to effectively treat and reduce the harm that many vision conditions can cause. With care from a 24-hour home care provider your loved one can receive the attention and care they need any time of the day if they are affected by glaucoma.
Glaucoma is one eye condition that can lead to serious vision loss if not caught early on. It is a progressive disease in which high eye pressure causes irreversible damage to the optic nerve. A person’s optic nerve is responsible for transmitting sight information to the brain. It can lead to permanent vision damage and it is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world. Luckily, if caught early, it is treatable.
Factors That May Increase the Risk of Glaucoma
Anyone can develop glaucoma, but certain risk factors increase the possibility of developing this progressive eye disease. While you cannot change most of your loved one’s risk factors, knowing that they may increase his risk of developing glaucoma can help you spot those symptoms early on.
Age. The risk for glaucoma increases as a person ages. If over the age of 75, your loved one has a 10 % chance of having glaucoma.
Family History. If a close relative like a parent or sibling of your elderly loved one developed glaucoma in their later years, he is more at risk for developing it himself as well.
Race. Asians, African Americans, and Hispanics all have a higher risk of developing glaucoma.
Having other chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and COPD.
Glaucoma Symptoms
Symptoms don’t often appear until there has already been irreversible damage has been done. Regular eye exams can catch the condition before too much damage is done.
Symptoms to watch for between exams include:
- Blind spots developing in the vision field or having tunnel vision
- Struggling with being able to see in low light
- Pain and pressure in the eye area
- Blurred vision or double vision
- Seeing halos around lights
- Headaches
- Bloodshot eyes
Vision Loss Doesn’t Mean Loss of Independence with 24-hour Home Care
Losing all or part of vision can be a scary situation for an elderly loved one who wants to continue living in her own home. As her vision worsens, she may lose the ability to perform certain tasks at home. Her safety and her health may be in jeopardy if she cannot see well enough to move around the home or use certain appliances, not to mention the loss of being able to drive to appointments or other important events.
With a 24-hour home team staying with your loved one in her home, she’ll be able to continue to live in the home she loves and retain that independence that is so important to her. A 24-hour home team can step in and assist with tasks that she may no longer be able to do like preparing meals and even some grooming activities. Since a 24-hour home care team member is always in the home, your loved one will have transportation whenever she needs it, even if it’s an unexpected trip that is needed after regular business hours.
Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4212-glaucoma
If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-Hour Home Care Services in Tamarac FL, please contact the caring staff at Star Multi Care today. Call 954-962-0926.
Star Multi Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Florida including Palm Beach, Miami Dade, and Broward County.
- Know the Symptoms of Glaucoma for Save Your Vision Month - February 25, 2025
- Employee Recognition of the Month for February - February 24, 2025
- Why Eating With Someone Promotes Better Eating Habits - February 18, 2025
