If your senior parent is having vision problems and is having difficulty seeing at a distance, they may feel uncertain in unfamiliar surroundings or avoid activities that require distance vision. Low distance can be limiting and lower your parent’s quality of life. Fortunately, there are devices that can help your dad to see better and allow him to enjoy activities that involve distance vision as he once did.
Activities that Require Distance Vision.
Activities that require distance vision are those that have your parent looking at something that is further from them than about six feet. Some activities your parent might have trouble seeing and enjoying are:
- Watching television.
- Seeing a sporting event.
- Driving.
- Reading signs.
- Going to a movie.
- Watching grandchildren playing in the yard.
- Bird watching.
Help for Distance Vision.
There are several vision aids available for those who have problems with distance vision. Some of them may take time to adjust to. An elderly care provider can help your parent to correctly use their vision aids. Elderly care providers can also remind seniors to use vision aids, which seniors may forget to use when they are first acquired or if they have memory problems. Vision aids for low distance include:
- Low Vision Sunglasses. Your parent may have trouble with glare from the sun or problems with distinguishing objects from background scenery because of a reduction in contrast sensitivity. Being unable to distinguish objects from their background can make it hard for your parent to see the edge of a curb or other tripping hazards. Tinted lenses can help clear up your parent’s vision when they are outside. Tinted lenses come in gray, plum, yellow, and amber. They are available in clip on lenses that are worn over prescription glasses or in glasses that are worn alone. If your parent has difficulty clipping lenses to their glasses because of dexterity problems, an elderly care provider can help.
- Hand-Held Telescopes. Hand-held telescopes are placed over one eye and are best for short periods of use, such as reading a street sign or a menu board at a restaurant. They are fairly inexpensive and can be conveniently carried or hung around the neck on a cord. They should not be used while walking or moving around since they may affect depth perception and balance.
- Spectacle-Mounted Telescopes. These devices are attached to eyeglasses, leaving the wearer’s hands free. They are useful for activities that last for longer periods of time, such as watching a grandchild’s sporting event or television. Certain conditions, like arthritis or tremors may make it difficult for a senior to focus the lenses, but a family member or elderly care provider could help.
Living with low vision isn’t always easy, but using devices designed to help your parent see better at a distance can increase their quality of life. If your parent is missing out on activities because they cannot see, talk to their eye doctor about how distance devices can help.
If you or an aging loved one needs elderly care in Sacramento, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
Sources
http://whatislowvision.org/low-vision-devices/devices-for-distance-tasks/
http://www.allaboutvision.com/lowvision/outside.htm
http://www.visionaware.org/info/your-eye-condition/eye-health/low-vision/low-vision-optical-devices/1235#distance
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