Astigmatism is one of the most common refractive errors which affect people of all ages. It starts with symptoms like blurred vision, headaches, and eventually leads to distorted vision that needs instant vision correction. An irregularly shaped cornea manipulates vision due to an abnormal curvature and gradually worsens eyesight.
As you age, it’s not just your overall health that takes the hit, but your eye health as well. Amongst the common eye problems in adults, astigmatism tops the list. While astigmatism is not an eye disease or a major eye health issue, it can certainly make day-to-day activities a slight or substantial challenge. And older adults will need the assistance of caregivers to move around, whether at home or in a public place.
Caregivers also need to ensure the floor at home is not left slippery or wet. Bathrooms are one of the trickiest places to be in, especially if the wet floors are not wiped off immediately. Rooms with a lot of furniture also may need to be re-arranged to make access and moving around easy.
You might also want to change things up a little at home. Change light-colored plates for darker ones and transparent water bottles for opaque ones, preferably colors like black, navy blue, or red. Another good tip is to arrange a comprehensive eye exam for seniors to check for warning signs and an effective solution to help restore good vision. But there are additional things caregivers need to know when looking after seniors at home.
Here’s a Look at 5 Things You Need to Know About Astigmatism in Adults:
- Blurred Vision
Ideally, your cornea should resemble a baseball. But as poor habits kick in, a perfect-looking starts looking more like football and that indicates astigmatism in adults. When it is smooth and round, the light entering the eyes bends perfectly to create a sharp, clear image of what you should see. Untreated astigmatism usually results in blurred vision, fatigue, and headaches.
- Headaches
Headaches can often be a cornea-related concern. Using the eyes for extended periods of time sitting in front of the computer or reading can often result in a typical headache of eyestrain. Whenever you undertake tasks for long periods of time, make sure you have an appropriate pair of prescription eyeglasses handy. The discomfort easily results in eyestrain which can only be relieved with proper alignment of the eyes.
- Warped Vision
Vision problems that stem from astigmatism can often be compared to a funhouse mirror. A defected or injured cornea masks your vision to make things around you appear thin, tall, short, and wide. To get an idea about what your loved ones see, ask them to describe what they see particularly when they read or watch TV.
- Unusual Face and Head Movements
Astigmatism in adults often requires a few adjustments in posture and movements to make up for the blurred vision. Seniors may be seen tilting their heads in a particular way or squinting the eye to lessen the blur caused by astigmatism.
- Trouble Seeing at Night
Since astigmatism worsens with age, older adults may not realize they have blurred vision. But the real challenge is when they have trouble seeing at night because they cannot recognize the differences in both color and objects.
Seniors with vision problems will definitely benefit from help around the house. Make sure there is always someone around to look after them. And check with an ophthalmologist for astigmatism correction options for better vision. Seniors will take time to get used to a pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses. Ensure that you or another family member help them clean their corrective lenses at least for the first few weeks before they can independently handle them.
Author Bio: Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs with a mission of informing readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care and eye health. He loves collecting coasters from the different bars and restaurants he visits during his travels.
