There's no question that loss of vision comes with serious challenges—both practical and emotional. It's okay to take time to grieve that change. But you can also take action. Many tools, resources, and support systems are available to help you or your senior loved one maintain independence and quality of life.
It helps to understand the different reasons for vision loss, lifestyle adjustments you can make for coping with vision loss, and where you can turn for support.
Common Causes of Vision Loss
Understanding the cause of vision loss in senior years is key to finding the right treatment and preparing for how your life may change. Depending on the eye condition, you or your loved one may experience peripheral vision loss (side vision) or central vision loss (fine-detail vision). The type and progression of the loss affect the challenges you may face.
The most common medical and lifestyle-related causes of vision loss for seniors include:
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): AMD causes objects and words in front of you to appear blurry because of damage to the macula, a part of your retina.
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma is caused by pressure buildup in the eye, which can damage the optic nerve.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Poor diabetes management can cause damage to blood vessels in the retina. Vision damage due to diabetes can range from blurry vision to total vision loss.
- Cataracts: Cataracts happen when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy. Seniors with cataracts may report that their vision looks blurry or hazy, similar to looking through a fogged-up windshield.
- Medication Side Effects: Certain medications can harm the eyes, so it's important for you or your loved one to report any vision changes to your healthcare provider.
- Poor Diet: Research shows that not getting enough nutrition can lead to vision concerns, including AMD.
- Smoking: Smoking is linked to vision loss over time, including conditions like cataracts and AMD.
Regular eye exams are important to detect and monitor gradual changes in vision. A sudden loss of vision needs medical attention right away because it might indicate an emergency health condition.
What to Do When You're Losing Your Eyesight
If you or your loved one is experiencing vision loss, acting quickly is crucial. Addressing the problem as soon as possible may help prevent vision loss from worsening.
In the event of sudden vision loss or other rapid, severe changes in your eyesight, seek immediate medical attention. These can indicate a serious problem, such as a stroke, a detached retina, acute glaucoma, or optic nerve damage.
For non-emergency vision issues, it’s still critical to take action the moment you notice something unusual. Changes in your eyesight can indicate cataracts, diabetes, migraines, and other conditions that benefit from swift diagnosis and treatment.
Follow these steps:
- Contact Your Eye Doctor: Don’t wait until your next scheduled check-in. Call your eye doctor right away to explain what you’re experiencing. They have the expertise to advise you whether you should go to urgent care, visit your regular doctor, or be scheduled for the next available eye appointment.
- Evaluate Medications for Side Effects: It's helpful to bring a list of current medications to your appointment. This way, your provider can review them to determine if any could cause vision loss.
- Keep a Symptom Log: Both before and after your appointment, track changes in your vision and any other new symptoms. This log may help your doctor pinpoint the cause.
- Make Changes to Your Home: Review tips for home safety and security. Install brighter lighting, especially in areas where you usually read or do other focused activities. Remove tripping hazards such as loose rugs. Declutter common areas of the home to remove fall hazards for safer navigation.
- Notify Caregivers and Family: Let family and friends help if you can and if they want. In-home caregivers can also be a great resource. In addition to expert care, they can give you or your loved one an opportunity to process emotions and provide reassurance.
Lifestyle Adjustments for Living with Vision Loss
Vision loss doesn't have to upheave your lifestyle. With certain adjustments, you can maintain your quality of life and continue to thrive:
In-Home Adjustments and Tools
Use high-contrast markings on stairs or doorways and on controls for the TV or radio. Reduce glare in the home with window coverings or film. Adaptive technologies like voice-activated devices or talking watches can be helpful for maintaining routines.
Maintaining Hobbies and Social Engagement
You don't have to give up your favorite hobbies and activities. Many hobbies can be adapted using tools like digital magnifying devices. E-readers and audiobooks can be helpful when learning new skills, and screen readers are an option for navigating computers and smartphones.
Continuing to engage with your community can also help you maintain your quality of life. Be intentional about connecting with family and friends. Enlist others to participate in activities like reading a book aloud, listening to music, telling stories, or playing trivia games.
Medical Interventions
Some vision concerns, such as cataracts, can be corrected with surgery. Special eyewear can help people with vision loss see better to manage daily tasks.
If vision loss is caused by a medication, you or your loved one can work with a healthcare provider to make adjustments.
Getting Emotional and Practical Support
Vision loss can be just as challenging emotionally, even for caregivers and family members. Accepting help can go a long way in enhancing independence and emotional well-being.
Explore all the resources available as you or your loved one adjust and cope with vision loss:
- Healthcare Professionals: Low-vision specialists assist with device prescriptions, like eyewear, and vision optimization.
- Therapists: Physical and occupational therapists can help you develop or maintain the mobility and motor skills necessary for independent everyday living. For your mental and emotional health, using talk therapy and counseling can help you work through your feelings about vision loss, such as anxiety, anger, grief, or depression.
- Caregivers: In-home caregivers can help you or your loved one with daily living activities, transportation, and meal prep. They can also provide companionship and encouragement and offer respite care for family caregivers to recharge with their own self-care.
- Support Groups: Connecting with others experiencing similar challenges can help you or your loved one feel heard and supported. They may also be able to offer practical tips or resources that have helped them.
- Service Animals: Guide dogs are specially trained service animals that help you or your loved one to navigate around their home and out in the community. They also often offer dependable companionship and emotional support.
Thriving with Vision Loss and Your Support System
Vision loss can affect you or your loved one in all aspects of life. Coping with vision loss involves intentional strategies, but with the right support, you can adjust to a new way of life.
With safety measures and outside support—like medical professionals, therapists, and assistive technology—you or your loved one can take back control and experience a rewarding, new way of life.
BrightStar Care® caregivers, nurses, and therapists can help people with vision loss enjoy a safe, supportive environment at home. Whether you're looking for in-home care services or a reliable medical staffing partner for your organization, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online, or call (866) 618-7827 to learn more about how BrightStar Care offers A Higher Standard®.