Clearing up Questions about Cataracts
The crystalline lens is an organ behind the iris that’s the shape of an M&M candy or a Skittle. That little organ starts out crystal clear when we’re born, but eventually becomes cloudy and opaque. That clouding is referred to as a cataract. When you’re born, the lens looks like clear Jell-O, and when if you’re lucky enough to reach the age of 100, your lens would look like parmesan cheese. And it’s not so easy to see through a chunk of parmesan cheese. Plus, as the lens becomes cloudy, it also changes color and becomes yellow, which affects your color perception.
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Vision Problems
Low vision is defined by the National Eye Institute as a permanent reduction in vision that can’t be corrected by surgery, medication, or use of conventional glasses or contact lenses. The reduction can be in visual acuity, visual field, contrast sensitivity, or color vision. If your parent or loved one has low vision, it may be mild, moderate, severe, or profound. Severe or profound loss of vision can result in the person qualifying as “legally blind.” There are certain tax advantages, other governmental and social services advantages and services that are available to a person that is legally blind.
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Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a very common condition in people older than 65. It’s the leading cause of legal blindness in the United States and the Western world. In fact, studies done in the U.S. and the U.K. report that more people have become legally blind from AMD than from all other causes combined.
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Vision and Guide Dogs
As our general population ages, the number of people losing their sight in later life due to degenerative diseases is increasing. Common degenerative diseases include: age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts (see http://lighthouse.org/livingbetter/common-age/).
Often, when someone begins to lose their vision, they may discover their quality of life diminishing. They may feel less willing or able to get out and about independently, and may fear for their safety when stepping off curbs or crossing streets.
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Mariella Dibble and Silky
Mariella Dibble got her first Guide Dog from Guide Dogs for the Blind when she was 62. Now at 88, she’s on her third and is still on the go. "They keep me busy – I get my exercise! And they make me happy! Especially this one," she said, affectionately patting her Guide Dog, Silky, "This one is wonderful. I'm hardly out of bed in the morning and she has done something to put a smile on my face."
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