Why Eye Tests are Important for Older Adults

Why Eye Tests are Important for Older Adults

As we age, all parts of our bodies can be affected. Our eyes are no exception. While it can be tricky to keep track of all the health checks a person should have as they age, your eyes are important, and it is essential you have them checked regularly. At Home Care Assistance, we know the value of optimising your sight. This blog outlines why it is important to have your eyes checked.

As we get older, our eyes can be more susceptible to eye diseases and disorders such as age-related macular degeneration, presbyopia, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. While some changes to our eyes are unavoidable, some diseases are preventable if caught early. Having a regular eye health check enables eye disease issues to be detected before they become a significant problem, and irreversible damage is done. Even if an eye disease can’t be stopped, early detection enables your sight to be optimised for as long as possible, and appropriate supports to be put in place to help you manage if your sight deteriorates. Arranging those supports can take time through the aged care system so acting early helps to ensure you get the appropriate help when you need it.

Given a person’s sight often deteriorates as they get older, having regular eye checks and ensuring that any prescription glasses are appropriate helps to minimize the effects of sight changes. It also helps you to navigate the world safely, stay connected, and avoid trip hazards. While it is common knowledge that you should not drive without your glasses if you need them, even moving around your home and shopping centers is more difficult if you can’t see well. You are also more likely to trip over resulting in injuries. Seeing optimally also helps you to hear well in noisy environments. Ears, like eyes, tend to deteriorate over time, while you should wear hearing aids if you need them, you will also find you hear better if you wear your glasses. This allows you to stay socially connected and involved in conversations.

It is a good idea to have your eyes checked every one to two years. It might be more often if you have a known eye condition or an illness that places you at risk of eye issues such as diabetes. Your optometrist can guide you as to how often your eyes should be tested. However, if you notice any changes to your eyesight between your scheduled check-ups, have them checked again. Early action is always a good thing. If you have any sudden changes in your vision, then this may be an emergency. Don’t wait, either go to your local eye hospital emergency department or if there is none nearby, go to the local hospital emergency department.

If you receive home care support from local Care Specialists, such as through Home Care Assistance Gold Coast, and haven’t had your eyes checked because you can’t get there, speak to your local Care Specialist and they can help make this happen. For older, more frail people, your Care professional can also help with putting glasses on and taking them off if needed, to ensure maximum benefits are obtained.

Support of a home care agency like Home Care Assistance, can bring enormous benefit and comfort to your quality of life while living independently at home.  Home Care Assistance has viable solutions when it comes to supporting independent living. For more information, get in touch with us  today.