Visual impairment

As we age, our eyesight changes. We find it increasingly difficult to read small text, our eyes take longer to adapt to dim light, and they are more sensitive to light.

And yet our eyesight is essential for our social and family lives. It keeps us safe and independent. It is therefore important to look after it.

Take preventive action

Prevention is still the best cure. We often put off checking our eyesight until it's too late, i.e., when the first signs of visual impairment arise and the disease is already well advanced.

• Have an ophthalmologist check your eyes once a year. These regular check-ups are essential for preventing the most common eye diseases in senior citizens, i.e., glaucoma, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy.
• Use good lighting to reduce eye fatigue.
• Don't go out into the sun without wearing protective sunglasses.
• Reduce glare by using appropriate lighting and filters on computers.
• Eat healthily: a daily intake of vitamins and minerals prevents the occurrence of age-related eye diseases.
• Manage your blood sugar to prevent diabetes.

Low vision assessment

The low vision assessment is for individuals with a visual impairment or peripheral vision loss. It is an examination that is normally carried out over 2 sessions in the orthoptics department.

The patient's lifestyle and specific needs are taken into account when proposing visual aids.

Setting up an appointment

Patients can make an appointment with the orthoptics department:

• at the request of the long-term care insurance agency's assessment and referral unit; or
• based on an ophthalmologist's prescription.

Visual aids

Based on the outcome of the low vision assessment, the orthoptics department will issue an opinion on suggested visual aids – but does not provide them.

It will then forward its suggestions to the long-term care insurance agency. And it is the long-term care insurance agency that decides which supplier the device can be obtained from.

Depending on the situation, a home visit will be arranged to check on the use of the visual aid.

The most common eyesight problems in senior citizens

Cataracts

Cataracts tend to appear after the age of 60. The symptoms are a gradual loss of sight and sensitivity to bright light. Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes opaque. Surgery is the only treatment. The earlier they are detected, the more effective the treatment and monitoring.

Surgical intervention is routine. Cataract surgery is usually an outpatient procedure – the patient is admitted to hospital in the morning, and released in the evening. It can be done under local anaesthesia, without having to put the patient to sleep.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an insidious disease that starts developing at around 40 years of age: even if you don't have any pain or problems with your eyesight, you can still suffer from glaucoma.

Glaucoma occurs when there is too much pressure inside of the eye, which damages the cells of the retina. If it is not treated quickly, it can lead to complete loss of sight. As the symptoms only appear late, and as the damage is irreversible, it is very important to have your eyes checked regularly by an ophthalmologist. Glaucoma can be treated with eye drops or medicine, or by surgery.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the main cause of visual impairment in people over 50. AMD is a disease that affects central vision. Peripheral vision remains unaffected. Reading becomes difficult and driving is no longer possible if the condition affects both eyes. Optical aids and use of peripheral vision can help sufferers maintain their independence. Treatments exist (laser, injections) for certain forms of AMD, and a healthy lifestyle can help prevent or stabilise the disease.

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetes (high blood sugar levels) affects the body's blood vessels and arteries if blood sugar is not kept under control. The vessels in the eye are no exception, gradually leading to vision loss, which is one of the complications of diabetes.

Advice for people suffering from eye diseases

• See your ophthalmologist regularly.
• Your ophthalmologist can give you information on possible long-term care insurance coverage.