Auto Accident Law 101

Auto Accident Law 101

Vision Screenings Help Seniors Reduce The Risk Of Falls

Everett Cook

Over 30 percent of individuals age 65 or older seek emergency medical treatment for fall-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although a number of issues, including muscle weakness, medication side-effects and household hazards, put seniors at risk, reduced vision is major cause that's often overlooked by the elderly and their families. Knowing which screenings you need can help you preserve your vision and reduce your risk of slip-and-fall injury.

Refractive Errors

Refractive errors result in an inability to focus due to the eyeball's length, deterioration of the eye's lens, or because the cornea's shape has changed. Some types, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, can affect people of any age. However, the National Eye Institute notes that presbyopia typically is age-related, and most middle-aged adults have it. Refractive error symptoms include hazy vision, seeing glare around lights, and eye strain.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, resulting in reduced vision, and in some cases, vision loss. Although one type is caused by building pressure inside the eye, such as that caused by high blood pressure, open-angle glaucoma develops without such an increase, the National Eye Institute notes. Age is a primary risk factor.

Age-related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is the most common cause of blindness in the elderly, Vision Service Plan notes. It damages the macula, which is located near the middle of the retina, causing deteriorating central vision or, in severe cases, loss of central vision due to blind spots. Most people have few or no symptoms while their disease in the early stages, so early detection is vital to preserving vision for as long as possible.

Cataracts

Cataracts result when the eye's lens clouds over, reducing the amount of light that that reaches the retina and making it difficult for the eye to produce sharp images. Cataracts can affect either or both eyes. Symptoms include cloudy vision, inability to perceive bright colors, and low night vision. Simple measures such as brighter household lighting and a new eyeglass prescription can help you compensate for the decreased visual acuity when cataracts are caught early.

A bonus to keeping up with your eye exams is that they can identify other health issues that need attention. The Visual Service Plan notes that diabetes, high blood pressure and blocked carotid arteries can present with signs your ophthalmologist is trained to recognize. Diagnosis of an eye problem can also signify the need to make lifestyle changes such as increasing lighting and removing tripping hazards from your home. These simple acts can go a long way toward reducing your risk of injury from falls.

If you've already experienced a painful fall, visit http://robertkanerlaw.com or another attorney near you.


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Auto Accident Law 101

After being involved in a serious auto accident with a drunk driver, I struggled heavily with getting the driver's insurance company to open a claim. When the insurance company started pushing back, I knew I needed to do something. I spent a lot of time digging through the laws surrounding auto accident claims so that I knew what my legal rights were. I even talked with an auto accident attorney. I created this site to teach others about what I learned, including my court experience. I hope it helps you to determine how you should proceed with your auto accident case.

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