Choosing the Right Eyewear for Seniors’ Aging Eyes
Home care can help seniors with routine tasks and support to make aging in place easier.
The eyes change in a number of ways as the years pass by, and those changes have the ability to impact vision. When that impact leads to the need for glasses, it’s important to select the right ones, especially for seniors. Selecting the appropriate eyewear improves their vision, comfort, security, and overall quality of life. However, with so many frame options, it can be challenging for them to find the right ones—and that’s not even considering the lens options.
The good news is that with a strong support team by their side, including loved ones, the optometrist, and home care providers, seniors gain much-needed knowledge about how to narrow down their choices.
Understanding Vision Requirments
The first step is for seniors to understand their vision requirements. Presbyopia, which is the inability to focus on close objects, cataracts, and dry eyes, are common age-related changes, not to mention glaucoma and macular degeneration. Their eye care specialist can identify the most appropriate eyeglasses or treatments to address these problems following a thorough examination of their eyes.
Seniors should be encouraged to talk with the specialist about concerns and questions they have. If they’re nervous about the conversation, they can practice with loved ones or home care providers.
Explore Eyeglass Lens Types
As mentioned, the number of eyeglass frame options can be overwhelming. Before that, however, seniors need to know what lens types might be best for them. Thankfully, the eyeglass care team can assist with this.
For general knowledge, though, seniors should understand that multifocal lenses can effortlessly switch between near, intermediate, and far vision ranges, doing away with the need for separate reading glasses. Also, blue light filters and anti-reflective coatings on lenses help minimize glare and increase contrast for seniors with cataracts or macular degeneration, improving vision in a variety of lighting settings.
For seniors who are light-sensitive, photochromic lenses are a great alternative because they darken in response to sunshine. Additionally, UV-protected lenses are necessary to defend against damaging UV rays that can exacerbate certain eye conditions.
Tips for Choosing the Frames
As with lens selection, the eyecare team can also assist with choosing appropriate frames. However, the number of options might make it difficult for seniors to make a decision on the spot, which is where the following tips come in. Home care providers and loved ones can explore these tips with seniors ahead of time to help them quickly narrow down which frames might work and which won’t.
- Put Fit and Comfort First: Comfort is crucial when selecting eyewear, particularly if seniors will be wearing their glasses for extended periods of time. For longevity, seniors should be encouraged to choose flexible plastic frames or titanium. Also, spring hinges and adjustable nose cushions can improve the fit and relieve strain on the nose bridge and temples. Finally, to prevent sliding or pinching, it’s important to ensure the frame size fits the face.
- Take Style Into Account: Seniors should select a look that accentuates their unique personality and face shape. Full frames can create a fashion statement, while semi-rimless or rimless frames provide a lighter appearance. Meanwhile, they may choose a bright, unique color for fun or something more classic that doesn’t stand out as much.
Selecting the best eyewear for aging eyes requires that seniors know their visual requirements and follow the tips above. Home care providers, loved ones, and their eye care team can all work together to ensure seniors get the right fit and feel.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care in Deerfield, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 948-0860. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette, and the surrounding areas.
Sources:
- https://specscart.co.uk/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-eyeglasses-for-seniors#:~:text=Bridge%20Fit%3A%20In%20order%20to,you%20with%20a%20balanced%20look.
- https://www.lensmartonline.com/blog/eyeglass-guide/details/how-to-choose-the-right-eyeglasses-for-seniors/
- https://www.zennioptical.com/blog/senior-eyewear-options-ensuring-comfort-and-clarity/
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