Fast-Growing Cataracts: What Seniors in Marion Should Know

Seniors are at a higher risk of various health conditions. Cataracts, for instance, are practically unheard of in young people. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it's only when proteins in the eye start to break down around 40 years old that cataract symptoms start to occur.

But most people won't notice anything until retirement. Usually, seniors in Marion, OH, will only notice vision changes after they turn 60 years old.

Some seniors experience fast-growing cataracts. These are cataracts that progress much more quickly than usual.

Interested in learning more about this common senior eye health issue? Read on to learn more about aging and eyesight.

Understanding Cataracts

Cataracts are caused by crystalline proteins that clump around the lens of the eye as we age. Fast-growing cataracts are more aggressive because they form closer to the center of the lens, which makes them blur vision earlier by scattering more light.

While all seniors risk getting cataracts, there are factors that significantly accelerate the risk:

• Diabetes and chronic illness: Conditions like diabetes make seniors more vulnerable to fast-growing cataracts.
• Steroid medications: Use of steroid medications has been linked to cataracts.
• Severe nearsightedness: High levels of myopia can speed up the accumulation of proteins in the eye.
• Unprotected sun exposure: Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light without appropriate eye protection can increase cataract risk.
• Family history: Genetic predisposition also plays a big role in cataract development.

It's important for seniors to visit ophthalmologists regularly to ensure early cataract awareness. By diligently tracking changes to vision throughout the years, ophthalmologists can catch the signs of cataracts early.

According to the Eye Center of Texas, finding cataracts early means doctors can slow down the progression and improve vision clarity. They'll achieve this by recommending appropriate lifestyle changes and sometimes offering medical treatments.

The earlier you catch cataracts, the easier it is to reverse them, so seniors need to visit their ophthalmologist regularly. Being part of a supportive community,

Fast-Growing Cataracts: Know the Signs

It's important that seniors and their loved ones know how to monitor senior eye health. They should know how to spot the indicators of cataracts. Seniors suffering from cataract symptoms might not always realize it because they may dismiss their symptoms as part of normal aging.

According to The EyeDoctors Optometrists, seniors and their loved ones should look out for the following symptoms:

• Blurry, foggy vision: A growing haze that makes fine details and distant objects hard to see.
• Poor low-light vision: Dim rooms and night driving feel much darker and harder to navigate.
• Light sensitivity and glare: Bright sunlight or headlights feel harsh and create distracting flares.
• Frequent prescription changes: You need stronger glasses again and again as your focus keeps shifting.
• Halos around lights: Bright sources show glowing rings that blur their outlines.
• Faded or yellowed colors: Whites look beige, and colors lose their usual brightness.
• Occasional double vision: One eye sometimes shows two overlapping images, making text hard to read.

If you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor. Cataracts are treatable, but only if you catch them early. Local seniors need to take these important health tips to heart to ensure they get preemptive eye care.

The Consequences of Cataracts

Undiagnosed cataracts can cause serious problems for seniors. For example, for seniors who drive, having untreated cataracts can make it seriously difficult to see. Cataracts make you see bright halos or rings around traffic lights and street lights.

On a busy road, with many light sources, these halos can obscure your vision, making driving pretty dangerous. As you can imagine, night driving with cataracts doesn't feel very safe.

Seniors with cataracts might also struggle to tell the difference between colors. This has safety implications since it makes hazards harder to spot.

But, not being able to see the difference between purples and blues could have lower-stakes consequences, too. Muted colors can make it difficult for seniors to do mundane things, like matching clothing based on colors.

Shopping for those clothes also gets uncomfortable. Cataracts make the LED bulbs common in stores and shopping malls look harsh and uncomfortable.

Reading is also problematic. Seniors with cataracts may have to make frequent adjustments to the display settings on their phone. If they use a laptop or PC, they might find it hard to locate where the cursor is on the screen.

Mistakes with medication could become more frequent as seniors with cataracts may struggle to read the small font on prescription labels.

How to Slow Down Cataracts

Thankfully, there are plenty of measures seniors can take to slow down the progression of cataracts. Consider using the following safety methods to protect your eyes:

• Eye protection: Wear sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays whenever you're out in the sun.
• Manage blood sugar: Control blood glucose levels and reduce sugar consumption if necessary.
• Boost antioxidants: Add foods rich in antioxidants to your diet.
• Stay hydrated: Stay hydrated by drinking water regularly.
• Quit smoking: Smoking can accelerate the progression of cataracts, so seniors should quit smoking when possible.
• Annual eye exams: Seniors should schedule full dilated eye exams every year or so.
• Blue-light defense: Seniors should consider using protective glasses lenses with blue-light filters.
• Limit steroid use: Seniors at risk of getting cataracts should reduce prolonged steroid use.

By following these simple guidelines and making appropriate lifestyle changes, seniors can keep cataracts at bay.

Discover a Supportive Community

Undiagnosed cataracts put seniors at risk. Clouded vision causes dangerous glare and halos around lights, making driving hazardous, increasing the risk of falls, and preventing independence.

Seniors and their loved ones shouldn't wait for cataracts to creep in; they should act now and consult Marion wellness resources. Even fast-growing cataracts are treatable when they're caught early enough.

At DeWolfe Place Assisted Living, we help our residents address health issues like cataracts together. Neighbors share their healthcare experiences over shared meals, and caring staff assist in medical appointments. Join a community where we help seniors get the best healthcare outcomes. Call today and schedule a tour, and see the difference for yourself.