Is your elderly loved one experiencing spots in their vision? If so, they could have eye floaters. These are more common in elderly adults than you might think. Most of the time eye floaters are quite normal and won’t need any treatment. However, there are some cases, when eye floaters signify a bigger problem. In those cases, an eye doctor may need to remove them to help your elderly loved one regain their sight.
Symptoms of Eye Floaters
There are many symptoms of eye floaters that you may need to know about. Some of these include the following:
- Vision issues
- Seeing shadows, dots, specks, or spots
- Seeing small lines or rings
- Seeing cobwebs or other odd shapes
- Spots can be light or dark
- Blurry vision
Depending on how many eye floaters your elderly loved one has, it may cause vision issues that range from mild to severe.
Causes of Eye Floaters
It is helpful to know more about the causes of eye floaters. Floaters affect the eye’s vitreous body. The vitreous body is what helps the eye to have its rounded shape.
The eye floaters happen when the vitreous body begins shrinking. When it shrinks, small fibers start breaking off into strings. This is referred to as vitreous detachment. The stringy fibers are what cause disruptions to the vision. They cause the person to see shadows, spots, or shapes.
For the most part, eye floaters happen as someone ages. However, they can happen to people who are younger, as well. Many people get eye floaters. However, if they are bothering your elderly loved one or if they all of a sudden see more of them, it is time for them to see their eye doctor and get them checked out. You could have their elder care provider drive them to their doctor’s appointment.
Some of the other things that could cause eye floaters include eye inflammation, eye infection, retina tearing, eye injuries, and diabetic retinopathy.
Concerns of Retinal Detachment
As previously mentioned, most eye floaters just happen as the aging process continues. However, if your elderly loved one notices that many floaters occur quickly, this could mean they have a retinal detachment. If this happens, your elderly loved one may also see light flashes and lose vision in one or both eyes. This is a serious condition and requires immediate treatment. If retinal detachment is what is happening and your elderly loved one doesn’t get treatment, they could become permanently blind.
Treatments for Eye Floaters
For most people, treatment is not needed for eye floaters. However, others might benefit from eye drops or may even need surgery.
If your elderly loved one is experiencing eye floaters that bother them or a quick increase in the number of eye floaters they have, an immediate doctor’s appointment is warranted.
Sources
https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/floaters
https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/retinal-detachment
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING ELDER CARE IN WILSON, NC, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT SENIORS HELPING SENIORS TODAY. CALL (919) 761-5346.