Adults 50 and older account for an estimated 73% of all cases of avoidable vision loss.
Age is the great equalizer. It doesn’t affect everyone equally, but it’s guaranteed to affect you. You can take all the precautions in the world, but you may still face eye issues with age.
The significant change many seniors fear can be alleviated by assisted living in Northside of Indianapolis, which offers various sights to see, including the historic Northside village.
Read our comparison guide for glaucoma vs cataracts to learn the similarities and differences and how to get support.
Glaucoma vs Cataracts
Glaucoma and cataracts are two of the most common conditions related to aging and vision loss.
Both affect the eyes and are common in adults over 60. The similarities essentially end there. Comparing glaucoma vs. cataracts reveals their effects and necessary treatments.
Affected Structure and Types
Like most body parts, the eye is made up of several smaller parts. A significant difference between the conditions lies in the specific eye parts they target.
Cataracts affect the lens, the transparent film along the eyeball. Glaucoma goes deeper and affects the optic nerve.
Causes
Cataracts are caused by proteins breaking down or clouding in the lens. It’s age-related and practically inevitable over time. It can also be caused by:
- Excessive UV exposure
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Medications
- Previous eye injuries
Over time, they cause a protein buildup on the lens. It blocks light from entering the retina as it should.
Glaucoma is caused by pressure on the optic nerve. It shares many of the same risk factors as cataracts, such as age and medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Symptoms
Cataracts can go unnoticed, but they tend to create more apparent symptoms than glaucoma. These may include:
- Cloudy or blurry vision
- Glare
- Sensitivity to light
- Faded colors
- Loss of night vision
- Frequent glasses or prescription changes
Glaucoma symptoms often don’t show up until the disease has progressed. That’s why it is known as a silent eye disease. However, it all depends on the type of glaucoma you have.
Open-angle is the most common type. Pressure builds up gradually, leading to progressive vision loss. It often doesn’t cause symptoms until significant damage has already occurred.
Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle between the iris and cornea closes. This creates a sudden spike in eye pressure, leading to noticeable symptoms such as:
- Eye pain or redness
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Seeing halos around light sources
The final type is called secondary glaucoma. As the name suggests, it’s a secondary condition that comes as the result of:
- Other eye conditions
- Injuries
- Medication side effects
Treatment
Cataract surgery to replace the lens is the most effective treatment. The process is known as extracapsular lens extraction.
The cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a plastic lens known as an intraocular lens to restore clear vision.
The surgery is a safe, commonly performed, and effective procedure. According to the National Institute of Health, approximately nine out of ten patients enjoy improved vision afterward.
They’re even customizable. You can choose different types of lenses to improve near and far vision.
The goal of glaucoma treatment is to reduce pressure in the eye. Eye drops are one of the first options that eye doctors will recommend.
Surgery is one option. Traditional surgery creates a new drainage pathway to restore normal pressure levels. Minimally invasive surgery is a newer option that uses smaller incisions and devices. It improves drainage and has a faster recovery time.
Laser treatment is another glaucoma treatment option. It uses light beams instead of incisions.
Outlook
There are no current approved medications for cataracts. However, they are easily treatable with surgery. Few cases ever result in long-term vision loss.
Glaucoma leads to gradual vision loss if not detected early and is irreversible. There is no definitive cure.
That isn’t as grim an outlook as it sounds with early detection. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, only about five percent of cases lead to legal blindness. Even fewer lead to total blindness.
Improving Senior Eye Care
Many conditions can affect eye health, and recognizing the warning signs allows for earlier detection. That means knowing the signs and symptoms to compare conditions such as glaucoma vs. cataracts.
Education is vital for health management. Doctors and patients must know the important steps to improve senior eye care. These include protecting them from UV rays and not staring at screens too long.
Emphasize the importance of regular eye exams. They are key to cataract and glaucoma prevention. Early detection makes it more likely to maintain your sight. You’ll get the treatment you need before serious damage occurs.
Seniors must prioritize eye health, as glaucoma and cataract awareness is just the beginning. They need to take all prescribed medications and understand their side effects.
Are they refusing to take medications or wear prescription eyeglasses? Identifying the root of the problem is important for changing behavior.
Maintaining Eye Health in Assisted Living
Maintaining eye health in assisted living for seniors is easier because they have extra support. Staff ensure residents receive optimal eye care. The risks of falls and trips are also significantly reduced.
Memory care in Indianapolis is available when even greater levels of support are required. Memory loss and vision loss are connected, but these communities ensure resident safety during wandering.
Both can provide attractive amenities and events. Providing residents with something new to see every day makes eye care worthwhile.
Find Assisted Living in Indianapolis
Comparing glaucoma vs cataracts and understanding the differences helps you identify which age-related vision issue you may be experiencing.
One causes cloudiness in your lens and is reversible with surgery. The other comes from an increase in eye pressure. Surgery makes one easily reversible, while the other must be carefully managed.
Rittenhouse Village at Northside helps seniors look forward to a long and fulfilling life. We seek to combine all the comforts of home with on-site services and support. Schedule a tour to see if we could be right for you today.
