As we age, our eyes slowly deteriorate. The process is different for each person, but the result is tens of millions of seniors with vision-related problems. The most common of these problems in seniors is macular degeneration.
Macular degeneration is a disease that affects the center of the eye. The disease makes it hard to read, drive, or even watch television since the central part of the vision is gone (the peripheral vision is still intact). Seniors who experience macular degeneration in one eye will almost always develop it in the other as well.
According to the National Eye Institute, macular degeneration will not lead to complete blindness, but as the disease progresses it can "interfere with simple everyday activities, such as the ability to see faces, drive, read, write, or do close work, such as cooking or fixing things around the house." A person in the late stages of macular degeneration can be declared legally blind. …show more content…
First, stop smoking. Smoking is directly linked to increased risk of eye problems, including cataracts, optic nerve problems, and macular degeneration. In fact, smokers have twice the rate of macular degeneration as non-smokers. If your loved one needs to quit smoking, in home senior care personnel can help them choose a program the works for them. Further, they can provide the social and emotional support to see them through this tough