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Aging Process: What is Happening to the Body and What Does it Mean? Summary
Risk Factors: • Advanced age
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE A systematic review published in 2019 that looked at physically active older adults found that seniors who engage in regular exercise not only have a reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality, prostate and breast cancer, fractures, falls and ADL disability, but also a lower risk of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and depression. Moreover, they reported improved overall quality of life and enhanced cognitive function. This underscores the importance of promoting physical activity among seniors for both physical and mental health. AGE-RELATED VISUAL CHANGES Visual acuity, defined as the sharpness and clarity of our vision, starts to decline rapidly from ages 60 to 80. By the time an individual reaches 85, they will have experienced an 80% decrease in visual acuity compared to what it was at age 40. Consequently, older adults experience challenges navigating their environment and anticipating potential obstacles. Other age-related visual changes include: • Decreased color discrimination, particularly in the blue-green range • Pupil size decreases, leading to issues with glare • Lower adaptation to dim light • Diminished ability to focus clearly at normal reading distances (presbyopia) CATARACTS Cataracts refer to the clouding of the normally clear eye lens . They are a prevalent problem among older adults that results in an inability to transmit clear images from the lens to the retina, causing a lack of visual clarity. Older adult diabetic patients are at an elevated risk of developing cataracts.
• Diabetes • Smoking • Obesity • Family history of cataracts
GLAUCOMA Glaucoma are a group of diseases associated with abnormally high blood pressure (intraocular pressure) within the eye. This elevated pressure can result in damage to the optic nerve and optic disc, leading to blind spots in the visual field, tunnel vision, and a loss of peripheral vision. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to total blindness. People experiencing this type of vision impairment may find it difficult to perceive objects in their peripheral view, increasing their risk of accidents and falls. Risk Factors: • Advanced age • Black, Hispanic, or Asian heritage • Diabetes, high blood pressure, migraines • Eye injury • Family history of glaucoma MACULAR DEGENERATION Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) occurs when the tissue in the macula, a small area near the center of the retina responsible for sharp central vision, deteriorates. Unlike glaucoma, which primarily affects peripheral vision, AMD impacts the central visual field. This deterioration can result in several vision-related challenges.
Risk Factors: • Older age • Family history of AMD • Smoking • High blood pressure • A diet high in saturated fats
LEARNING TIP! Cataracts can cause difficulty seeing at night or glaring from headlights while driving.
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