Physical changes in ageing

Question 1

What can happen to an individual when they reach old age ?

Answer 1

impaired sense of balance
hearing and vision deteriorate
taste and smell diminish

Question 2

what happens at around the age of 45?

Answer 2

the eye’s ability to focus begins to weaken and,

for many people,

Question 3

what happens with over 65 eyesight ?

Answer 3

by 65 years old there may be little focusing power left,

making small print more difficult to read.

Question 4

what are cataracts?

Answer 4

Cataracts result from changes in the lens of the eye. As people grow older, the lenses can become hard and cloudy which can result in blurred vision. Cataracts may start forming between the ages of 50 and 60, but
often take time to develop and start causing symptoms.

Question 5

what is glaucoma caused by ?

Answer 5

Glaucoma is an increase of fluid pressure within the eye. It can affect eyesight in later life with symptoms that can range from hazy or blurry vision or eye pain to sudden loss of vision.

Question 6

symptoms of glaucoma

Answer 6

pressure in eyes is over where it should be and damages nerve at
back of eye
- blank patches in eye enlarge and progress towards central vision
- visual field test
- lose 30 percent of eye usage till the test will pick up symptoms

Question 7

treatment for glaucoma

Answer 7

treatment is eye drop therapy

• laser treatment is an alternative – takes two min
• or may need operation
• release fluid from in eye by creating an artificial passage way
• rare to lose vision completely

Question 8

treatment for cataracts

Answer 8

surgery may be needed if affects everyday life
- less than 45 min for surgery
- local anesthetic
- tiny cut to front of eye , ultrasound wave to break up , removed
through tube
- remove with artificial lens
- see improvement after surgery
- only one eye at time operated