Caring for An Older Adult with a Hearing and/or VisionDisability Flashcards
Exam 2
What does visual function depend on?
Visual function depends on a sequence of processes beginning with the perception of an external stimulus and ending with the processing of neural impulses into cerebral cortex.
What does the visual system consist of? What role do they play?
The visual system consists of the external tissues and structures surrounding the eye, that play an important role in protecting the eye include the eyebrows, eyelids, eyelashes, lacrimal system, conjunctiva, and sclera.
What plays an important role in vision?
The cornea and extraocular muscles play an important role in vision.
the refractive media, and the visual pathway.
The entire visual system is important for visual function.
Effects of Aging on the Visual System:
Internal eye structures include:
Internal structures include the iris, lens, ciliary body, choroid, and retina.
Effects of Aging on the Visual System:
How do we perceive images?
Light reflected from an object in the field of vision passes through the transparent structures of the eye and, in doing so, is refracted (bent) so that a clear image can fall on the retina. From the retina, the visual stimuli travel through the visual pathway to the occipital cortex, where they are perceived as an image.
Age-Related Changes in appearance and tear ducts
Changes in appearance include:
Changes in appearance include arcus senillis,
loss of orbital fat, and diminished elasticity of eyelid muscles—usually do not interfere with vision (*exception –Blepharochalasis-can eventually impair vision)
Age-Related Changes in appearance and tear ducts
Changes in appearance include: Production of what?
Diminished tear production (*Tx-use of artificial tears)
Age-Related Changes in appearance and tear ducts
Degenerative changes affect what parts of the eye?
Degenerative changes affect all structures of the eye, the retinal–neural pathway, and visual cortex of the brain
Age-Related Changes in appearance and tear ducts
Corneal changes
Changes in color of sclera
Less ability to dilate pupil
More light needed for reading)
Age-Related Changes in appearance and tear ducts
Arcus senilis: How does it appear on the eye?
Arcus senilis – Eventually, the arc may become a complete ring around the colored portion (iris) of the eye.
Age-Related Changes in appearance and tear ducts
Arcus senilis: Who is it common in? What is it caused by? How is it treated?
Arcus senilis is common in older adults.
It’s caused by fat (lipid) deposits deep in the edge of the cornea. Arcus senilis doesn’t affect vision, nor does it require treatment.
Age related changes in the structure of the eye can affect the vision in older adults
The Ciliary body:
Mass of muscles, connective tissue, and blood vessels surrounding the lens.
Age related changes in the structure of the eye can affect the vision in older adults
The ciliary body: What happens to it with age? Why?
Muscle is replaced with connective tissue, ciliary body gradually becomes smaller, stiffer, and less functional.
Age related changes in the structure of the eye can affect the vision in older adults
The Ciliary Body: What happens to aqueous humor? What does this lead to?
Diminished secretion of aqueous humor interferes with the nourishment and cleansing of lens and cornea.
Age related changes in the structure of the eye can affect the vision in older adults
Vitreous: What is it?
clear, gelatinous mass that forms the inner substance and maintains the spherical shape of the eye.
Age related changes in the structure of the eye can affect the vision in older adults
Vitreous: What happens to gelatinous substances overtime?
Gelatinous substance shrinks, causing the vitreous body to pull away from the retina, resulting in floaters, blurred vision, distorted images or light flashes.
Age related changes in the structure of the eye can affect the vision in older adults
Retina: What is it?
Composed of rods and cones which are required for color perception and acuity.
Age related changes in the structure of the eye can affect the vision in older adults
Retina: What occurs overtime?
Accumulation of lipofuscin and thinning and sclerosis of the blood vessels and pigment epithelium
Age related changes in the structure of the eye can affect the vision in older adults:
Cornea: What is it?
Smooth, clear, strong and durable;
shields eye from germs and dust;
outermost lens;
functions as window controlling,
focusing entry of light into the eye.
Age related changes in the structure of the eye can affect the vision in older adults:
Cornea: What happens to it with age?
Becomes opaque and yellow, impairing passage of light
Age related changes in the structure of the eye can affect the vision in older adults:
Cornea: What results in blurred vision?
Lipid deposits result in blurred vision
Age related changes in the structure of the eye can affect the vision in older adults:
Cornea: What results in impaired refractility?
Altered curvature results in impaired refractility
Age related changes in the structure of the eye can affect the vision in older adults:
Lens: What is it?
situated behind the iris, focuses light onto the retina.
Age related changes in the structure of the eye can affect the vision in older adults:
Lens: what happens with age?
Becomes stiffer, denser and more opaque
Age related changes in the structure of the eye can affect the vision in older adults:
Iris: What is it?
Colored part of the eye;
Age related changes in the structure of the eye can affect the vision in older adults:
Iris: What does it do?
Controls light levels inside the eye similar to the aperture on a camera
Age related changes in the structure of the eye can affect the vision in older adults:
Iris: Round opening at center is what?
Round opening at the center is the pupil
Age related changes in the structure of the eye can affect the vision in older adults:
Iris: What is the iris embedded with?
Iris embedded with tiny muscles that dilate (widen) and constrict (narrow) pupil size.
Age related changes in the structure of the eye can affect the vision in older adults:
Iris: What happens overtime?
Becomes less flexible and the pupil becomes smaller
Effects of age- related changes on vision include:
Loss of accommodation
Diminished acuity
Delayed dark and light adaptation
Increased glare sensitivity
Reduced visual field
Diminished depth perception
Altered color vision
Slower visual information processing
Visual impairment
Effects of age- related changes on vision include:
Loss of accommodation: What is it called?
Presbyopia
Effects of age- related changes on vision include:
Presbyopia: What is it?
Loss of accommodation:
presbyopia—diminished ability to focus clearly on objects at various distances (far-sighted)
Effects of age- related changes on vision include:
Diminished acuity: What is it?
diminished ability to detect details and discern objects
Effects of age- related changes on vision include:
Delayed dark and light adaptation: What is it?
slower adaptive response to changes in lighting
Effects of age- related changes on vision include:
Altered color vision: What is it?
perception blue objects look darker, and whites appear more yellowed
Effects of age- related changes on vision include:
Visual impairment: What is it?
Loss that cannot be corrected with glasses or contacts; ranges from mild to blindness
Question
What is presbyopia?
A. The loss of accommodation
B. Diminished visual acuity
C. Delayed reaction to changes in light
D. A reduction in the visual field
The loss of accommodation
Presbyopia is the loss of accommodation, which is the ability to focus clearly on objects at various distances. Presbyopia is an initial and universal age-related vision change, which begins in early adulthood and affects all humans to some degree by their mid-fifties
Visual Impairment:
Personal cost for older person with visual impairment includes:
Loss of independence
Social isolation
Depression
Decreased quality of life
Risk Factors That affect Visual Wellness
Lifestyle, nutrition, environment
Risk Factors That affectVisual Wellness:
Lifestyle, nutrition, environment- What do these things do?
exacerbate age-related vision changes
Risk Factors That affect Visual Wellness:
Factors that interfere with visual wellness:
Poor nutrition, smoking, sunlight exposure
Warmer environmental temperatures, wind, low humidity, secondhand smoke
Lighting, color contrast
Chronic conditions ( Hypertension, Diabetes, Parkinson’s LBD)
Medications
Functional Consequences Affecting Visual Wellness
Effects on Safety, function and overall health ,QOL and Driving
Functional Consequences Affecting Visual Wellness:
How do lighting needs compare to previously required?
Available lighting needs are three to five times more than previously required
Functional Consequences Affecting Visual Wellness:
Effects on Safety, function and overall health ,QOL and Driving
Include difficulty with:
Difficulty with Effect on driving in general
Increased difficulty in performing usual activities
Functional Consequences Affecting Visual Wellness:
Effects on Safety, function and overall health ,QOL and Driving
Psychological effects:
Anxiety, depression, and lower levels of psychological well-being
Common Disease Conditions Affecting Vision
Cataracts:
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD):
Glaucoma:
Diabetic retinopathy:
Common Disease Conditions Affecting Vision
Cataracts:
leading, reversible cause of vision impairment
Common Disease Conditions Affecting Vision
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD):
leading cause of severe vision loss
Common Disease Conditions Affecting Vision
Glaucoma:
causes loss of peripheral vision leading to blindness if untreated
Common Disease Conditions Affecting Vision
Diabetic retinopathy:
blurred, hazy, spotted or fluctuating vision
