The month of June is cataract awareness month, so this week on All Home Care Matters, we will be discussing all things cataracts. First, we're going to talk a little about what cataracts are and how you get them, and then we'll move on to what you can do to prevent them. Then, we'll see how to help your loved one manage their cataracts and protect their vision. Now you know what we'll be discussing this episode, let's jump right in.

 

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision and is mostly related to age. According to an article published by the Cleveland Clinic, for your eye to see, light passes through a clear lens behind the colored part of your eye, or the iris. The lens focuses the light so that your brain and eye can work together to process information into a picture. When a cataract clouds over the lens, your eye is unable to focus light in the same way.

 

By the age of 80, more than 50 percent of all Americans have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. According to Icon Eyecare, to make sure cataracts don't affect your vision, it's important to get regular eye exams - especially if you're over the age of 55.

 

Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss worldwide. In a report by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, researchers predicted that from 2014 to 2032, the number of cataract cases will increase by 50 percent. Within the next decade, the United States will be faced with one of the biggest healthcare crisis’s it has ever had to deal with, and no one seems to be talking about it yet.

 

The aging population in the United States will reach an all-time high in 2030, when the Baby Boomer Generation will all be 65 or older. With old age, cataracts and other vision problems worsen. Age is the biggest factor in cataracts, but it isn't the only thing that can cause them. There are four other types of cataracts, secondary cataracts, traumatic cataracts, congenital cataracts, and radiation cataracts. Secondary cataracts can form after an eye surgery or develop due to other health problems, like diabetes.

 

Traumatic cataracts happen after an eye injury. They can happen immediately or even years after the initial injury. Congenital cataracts appear at birth or in childhood and tend to be so small that they do not affect vision. Radiation cataracts can develop after some forms of radiation. All of these types of cataracts can hinder vision and make day-to-day activities difficult. Older adults, as well as everyone else, should see their eye doctor regularly to keep their vision working properly.

 

The National Eye Institute lists some of the noticeable symptoms of cataracts as: having cloudy or blurry vision, colors looking faded, you are unable to see well at night, lamps, sunlight, or headlights all appear to be too bright, you see a halo around lights, you have to change your glasses prescription often, or you are seeing double of things. Seeing double sometimes goes away as the cataract gets bigger.

 

Now, this list is somewhat lengthy, but it is in no way exhaustive, and these are not exclusive symptoms of cataracts. All of these symptoms can also indicate a number of other eye problems or diseases. Schedule an appointment with your loved one’s eye doctor if they are experiencing any of the above symptoms. Early treatment of any eye disease may just end up saving your loved one’s vision.

 

Cataracts are a common occurrence, and it is very likely that either you or someone you know has a cataract right now. If you think you might be experiencing cataract symptoms or are just wondering what it’s actually like living with cataracts, Jim Mathie a former fire chief in Deerfield Beach Florida, speaks about life with cataracts and the difference he noticed as soon as he got them removed at Rand Eye Institute.

 

“Wow, what a big difference,” Mathie says about his cataract surgery. He goes on to say that the difference is like night and day and he just hadn’t realized how bad his vision had been before. He had his surgery on a Thursday and it was so easy he doesn’t even remember it. The next day, he went back for an exam and he could see everything. He had so much clarity and was suddenly noticing how vivid all the colors were. He had been getting his yearly eye exams and knew that he had a cataract in one eye. At first, it was manageable, but after five years, he knew it was time to do something about it. He was avoiding driving at night because he assumed it would be an issue. But, what really made him decide to get the surgery was that he was no longer able to enjoy his favorite hobby, diving.

 

Mathie dove three to four times a week and had started to notice that he was unable distinguish things like fish and lobsters in murkier waters when they were right in front of him. Before his cataract, he had no issues seeing in murky water. He knew it was time to fix his vision, and today he is enjoying his passion, scuba diving, and loving his cataract free life. If you, like Jim Mathie, have noticed your vision deteriorating, or noticed your loved one’s vision deteriorating, talk to your eye doctor and see if cataract surgery will work for you.

 

There are some things we can do while we are younger to prevent cataracts, but cataracts due to aging are not preventable. Cataracts due to age can be fixed or at the very least, the symptoms can be managed, with the help of your doctor. Cataracts caused by other health issues may be prevented by using protection from the sun, such as hats and sunglasses, and eating leafy greens and other fruits and vegetables. Eating a healthy diet will help with many health problems, and not just with cataracts, but I'm sure you already knew that.

 

If you smoke, quitting smoking will also significantly reduce your chances of getting cataracts. If you are ready to quit smoking, you can call the American Lung Association's Help Line at 1-800-LUNG-USA, that's 1-800 586-4872 today for free help with quitting. You should also talk to your doctor about quitting. They can help you create a plan and track your progress. They can also prescribe medication to help if you need it.

 

Getting your eyes dilated can also help prevent cataracts. Adults 60 and older should get their eyes dilated at least once every two years. Eye doctors can check for cataracts and monitor existing cataracts while dilating your eyes.

 

According to aging care dot com, age-related cataracts affect older adults' vision in a few different ways. Clumps of protein build-up reduce the sharpness of the image reaching the retina. The clumps of protein can also cloud the lens and reduce the light that reaches the retina. Over time, the protein can tint the clear lens, turning it a yellow or brownish color, adding a brownish tint to their vision.

 

Approximately one in five older adults have cataracts. Cataracts are not contagious. If you have a cataract in one eye, you may not develop a cataract in your other eye and you cannot spread them to other people, either.

 

Depending on the severity of the cataracts, seniors may only need new glasses or a magnifying lens to see better or use brighter lighter at home. Anti-glare sunglasses can help seniors see better while outside or in the car. If none of these options help, surgery is a safe and effective treatment for cataracts.

 

According to Comfort Keepers, cataract surgery is widely regarded as one of the safest medical procedures. It has a success rate between 95 and 98 percent. For this procedure, the patient usually only needs minimal sedation, which is safer for older adults. Seniors with other health issues are often unable to receive surgeries due to their health conditions but are still able to receive cataract surgeries because of how safe and fast they are. While the risk of complications is low for cataract surgery, it is still important to talk to your doctor about the risks involved.

 

Cataracts are removed one eye at a time. The senior will have to have the surgery performed on one eye and then wait three to four weeks for the other eye. During this waiting period between surgeries and during the four weeks following the second surgery, senior should try not to rub their eyes or lift heavy objects. They should also continue wearing sunglasses and hats to protect their eyes from the sun.

 

Once a cataract has been removed, it will not come back. A secondary cataract can form in the same eye, but it is not the original cataract coming back. The secondary cataract can be corrected with a Y A G laser capsulotomy, which is quick and painless.

 

It is very likely that your loved one has cataracts. They may not even notice any symptoms. If they are experiencing any vision discomfort or other problems, schedule an eye appointment to see if they have any undiagnosed eye conditions. Their doctor can help you make the best course of action for their vision.

 

Cataracts can make daily activities difficult at first, especially when you are first adjusting to blurry vision. You may notice your loved one being slightly unsteady on their feet or unsure of their movements while they are adjusting to their new stage of vision. They are at a higher risk of a fall during this time, so make sure to remove any obstacles that could hinder their movements and result in a fall.

 

Your loved one may also need help doing household tasks, like cooking and cleaning, while dealing with cataracts. They may be unable to read a recipe to make their meals and their blurred vision also makes cleaning up messes difficult. Helping your loved one cook meals and clean up around the house, at least until they have either adjusted to their blurred vision or are able to get the cataracts removed, will be extremely helpful to them.

 

If your loved one has a cataract and you are interested in ways to maintain it without surgery, have them try some eye exercises. Family Vision Development Center says that certain eye exercises can help to strengthen your eyes and ease eye strain. And, while strengthening your eye muscles cannot actually cure cataracts, it can help to slow the progression.

 

They recommend gently rolling your eyes in a clockwise circle a few times, then reverse to a counterclockwise motion. You can also try moving your eyes from side to side, or in the shape of a figure 8. You can also try changing focus, by focusing on a finger held a few inches from your face, then shifting to an object farther away, then back again.

 

Learning to live with cataracts can take some time and adjustment. If your loved one is still driving, remind them to be extra cautious and try not to drive at night, as the glare from streetlights can provide hazardous driving conditions for someone with cataracts.

 

Are you worried about your parent or aging loved one driving, with or without cataracts? You are not alone. In another episode of this podcast, Is Your Loved One Safe Driving, we talked about aging loved ones and what to do when you think they are no longer safe behind the wheel. Please listen to the episode and check out the show notes for resources on safe transportation options and other related driving topics.

 

Prevent Blindness, the number one volunteer eye health and safety organization, offers free information on cataracts. Their organization has created the Cataract Awareness Month campaign and is very knowledgeable when it comes to cataracts and other causes of vision loss. You can call them at 1-800-331-2020 or visit them on the web at preventblindness.org. Their goal is to eliminate preventable blindness in the United States.

 

If you or your loved one, or someone you know, is experiencing cataracts and do not have the financial means to fix them, Prevent Blindness may be able to help. Check them out today or send their information to someone in need.

 

If you are interested in learning about other eye conditions that could be affecting your loved one, listen to our episode on Understanding Glaucoma and visit our website for more information.

 

Of the five types of cataracts, age-related cataracts are the most common cataracts to be seen, and they disproportionately affect the older population. Losing your vision is frightening and causes your loved one to worry. It is important to let them know that you are there for them during this time and help them perform their daily tasks safely. Make sure your loved one visits their eye doctor regularly so that any vision problems can be caught and fixed before they become a real problem.

 

Luckily, cataracts can be fixed in a fast and safe procedure, restoring your loved one's sight in a matter of weeks. If they are unable to have the cataracts removed, there are still a few options that can help them see better, like using brighter lights and magnifying glasses. For more information on understanding cataracts in seniors, check out the resources on the show notes for this episode.

 

We want to thank you for joining us here at All Home Care Matters, All Home Care Matters is here for you and to help families as they navigate long-term care issues. Please visit us at allhomecarematters.com there is a private secure fillable form there where you can give us feedback, show ideas, or if you have questions. Every form is read and responded to. If you know someone is who could benefit from this episode and please make sure to share it with them.

 

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Sources:

https://www.agingcare.com/articles/what-is-a-cataract-age-related-eye-diseases-108282.htm

 

https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cataracts#:~:text=Cataracts%20are%20very%20common%20as,%2C%20hazy%2C%20or%20less%20colorful.

 

https://iconeyecare.com/eye-care-blog/10-cataract-facts-cataract-awareness-month/#:~:text=June%20is%20National%20Cataract%20Awareness,virtually%20pain%2Dfree%20surgical%20procedure.

 

https://www.comfortkeepers.com/info-center/category/senior-health-and-wellbeing/article/the-myths-and-facts-of-cataracts-what-seniors-shou

 

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8589-cataracts

 

https://preventblindness.org/cataract-awareness-month-2020/

 

https://preventblindness.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Future_of_Vision_final_0.pdf

 

https://www.businessinsider.com/aging-population-healthcare

 

https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/i-want-to-quit

 

https://preventblindness.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/CataractRelease2020.pdf

 

https://www.fvdcpc.com/2021/02/26/simple-strategies-living-with-cataracts/

 

https://www.bettervision.net/cataracts/5-tips-for-living-with-cataracts/

 

https://www.randeye.com/after-cataract-surgery-jims-interview-hd/