In the USA a trend of an overall older population appeared in the 2010 Census. By 2050 it’s projected that 20 percent of the United States will be 65 plus years old. Along with that trend parallels the fact that increased aging comes more visual impairment. Add in the fact that having low vision increases depression and affects mental health, a person can see why Houston Lasik clinics and laser eye surgery will become a standard.
Visual impairment associated with mental health issues
A cross-sectional analysis of a set of data with 291,169 patients 65 years or older in Scotland and England found that visual impairment affected all aspects of a person’s life. Losing vision caused significant depression in many cases, which is a chemical change to body chemistry, not just sadness about a condition. The study after accounting for other factors such as disease, or socialization said that the visually impaired group were twice as likely to experience simultaneous chronic conditions than the group with normal vision. Chronic conditions have negative side consequences for vision.
The low vision impacts daily activities. Diets became compromised due to it becoming challenging to prepare a meal or even go buy a meal. It makes getting dressed or taking care of a household more difficult as well. It increases the likelihood of a fall. Socialization becomes hampered since a person will not feel as safe while shopping or doing recreational activities since they can be alert to possible issues presented if not in their field of vision. All of which makes any person’s life more difficult. Taking care of the eyes gives a person a good chance at optimum health.
LASIK for older eyes
U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends screening for any impaired visual acuity in the elderly in 2016. Many older adults have a refractive error uncorrected and could benefit from a treatment such as laser eye surgery. Many elderly have good health without complications from chronic diseases that would interfere with such a procedure. Presently, many elderly adults-only experience screening questions about their vision. Using a visual acuity test as the Houston Lasik clinic would identify any early age-related macular degeneration or cataracts. More importantly, it would identify suitable candidates for LASIK. It states in its findings that about 60 percent of elderly adults have correctable refractive errors that would possibly correct to 20/40 vision acuity.
The task force looked at a few trials a found immediate correction of the refractive error resulted in immediate improvement of quality of life-related to vision. Mixed results in finding early cataracts and AMD occurred depending on the level of expertise or tests used. It may have been because cataracts and AMD often associate with chronic diseases.
Conclusion
Individual case by case basis of laser eye surgery makes it possible for patients 65 and older. If a standard could become created in the decade of a person’s 50s, it would take care of most vision problems found in the elderly as far as identifying issues. For many elderly LASIK becomes a possible option if healthy for maintaining eyes sight. Just a phone call and a counseling session can start a path to better eyesight for someone over 65. Call today and find out.
Houston Lasik leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Houston Lasik, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478
Via
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4200167/
https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-releases/2014/may/vision-loss-and-mental-health
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2497913
