Vision and Hearing Wellness Flashcards
Smooth, clear, strong and durable; shields eye from germs and dust; outer most lens; functions as window controlling, focusing entry of light into the
eye
Cornea
Coloured part of the eye; controls light levels inside the eye similar to the aperture on a camera; round opening at center is the pupil; iris embedded
with tiny muscles that dilate (widen) and constrict (narrow) pupil size
Iris
Situated behind iris, focuses light onto the retina
Lens
- Converts visual stimuli into neural impulse messages to the optic nerve
Retina
Which statement about age-related changes
that affect vision is true?
* A Gradual age-related changes in vision have an
immense impact on the older adult’s quality of life
* B Age-related changes affect all the structures
involved in visual function
* C The size of the pupil enlarges, which causes more
light to reach the retina
* D Arcus senilis is a rare age-related change associated
with protein accumulation
Age-related changes affect all the
structures involved in visual function
* Age-related changes affect all the structures involved in visual function and alter visual
perception for the older adult. In the absence of disease processes, these gradual changes have
only a subtle impact on the daily activities of the
older person
Mild Visual Impairments
- Reduced contrast sensitivity
- Glare sensitivity
- Increased lighting requirements
- Decreased ability to focus close up
- Decreased depth perception
4 Common Eye
Conditions
affecting the
older adult…
CATARACTS
MACULAR DEGENERATION
GLAUCOMA
RETINAL NEUROPATHY
Opacification of the
lens
* Transmission of light
to retina is reduced
* Leading cause of
visual impairment in
older adults
CATARACT
RISK FACTORS OF CATARACT
- Systemic disease, malnutrition, trauma, medications, advanced age
- Head and neck radiation
- Smoking and sunlight exposure
Is the functional centre of
the retina
- Macula
Deposits of retinal pigment called drusen build up in the macula
- Death of photoreceptors
- Later stages – new blood vessel formation and bleeding in the subretinal space
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
(AMD)
Risk Factors for AMD
- Advanced age
- Family history
- Smoking
- Exposure to sunlight
Management for AMD
Modifiable risk factors
– smoking and
nutrition
* Nutritional
supplements –
Vitamin C, E, Betacarotene, zinc oxide
and cupric oxide
* Monitoring and follow
up with
ophthalmologists and
vision rehab (assists
with compensation)
- Optic nerve
damaged by an
abnormal buildup
of aqueous humor
in the eye
Glaucoma
a clear fluid
which normally
maintains eye
pressure
Aqueous humour
A leading cause of
blindness
Glaucoma
Risk Factors of Glaucoma
- Elevated pressure
in the eye - Family history
- Age (especially
over age 60) - Ethnicity (African,
Asian and
Indigenous
decent) - Myopia
(nearsightedness)
- A complication of
diabetes that damages
blood vessels of the
retina - Too much sugar in the
blood
Blocks blood
vessels
New blood vessels, but
abnormal and leak
Diabetic Retinopathy
Risk Factors of Diabetic Retinopathy
- Duration of diabetes —
the longer you have
diabetes risk - Poor control of blood
sugar level - High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Pregnancy
- Tobacco use
- Ethnicity – African,
Hispanic, Indigenous
Management for Diabetic Retinopathy
- Diabetic management
- Lifestyle modification
- Laser treatment
(burning the abnormal
blood vessels) - Surgery to remove
blood from the eye - Injecting medicine in
the eye (stops the
growth of blood
vessels)
Hearing Loss – Risk Factors
Male gender
Increased age
Genetic predisposition
Exposure to noise
Impacted cerumen
Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
Ototoxic medications
Certain medical conditions
Which is the most prevalent risk factor for
impaired hearing?
* A Use of ototoxic medications
* B Exposure to noise
* C Age-related changes of the ear
* D Genetic factors
B. Exposure to noise
* The most prevalent risk factor for impaired hearing is
exposure to noise, which can be viewed as both a
lifestyle choice and an environmental factor.
* Prolonged or intermittent exposure to noise during
occupational or leisure activities is a common and
usually avoidable risk factor for damage to the auditory
system.
Persistent
sensation of
ringing, roaring,
blowing and
buzzing
Tinnitus
Which statement about tinnitus is true?
* A Tinnitus is a rare pathologic condition
* B Tinnitus is a periodic sensation of ringing in the ears
* C People with tinnitus should be evaluated for
associated pathologic conditions
* D People with tinnitus hear things that originate in the
external environment
C. People with tinnitus should be evaluated for
associated pathologic conditions
* Tinnitus is a common pathologic condition in older adults that
is highly associated with hearing loss, ototoxic medications
and Ménière disease
* Thus, people with tinnitus should be evaluated for associated
pathologic conditions or any of the contributing factors
Abnormalities of
external and
middle ear
interfering with
sound conduction
Conductive
Abnormalities of
sensory and
neural structures
of inner ear,
usually age
related or noise
induced
Sensorineural
Both conductive
and sensorineural
involvement
Mixed
What do studies of the psychosocial consequences of hearing
impairment demonstrate?
A. Hearing loss is less likely to have detrimental effects for people
who have few social relationships
B. Hearing loss has a greater social impact on older women
C. Hearing loss has a greater emotional impact on older men
D. Hearing loss has minimal effects on psychosocial function
Answer
A. Hearing loss is less likely to have detrimental effects for people
who have few social relationships
The extent of the psychosocial consequences of hearing impairment
depends on the lifestyle of the person affected.
Hearing impairment is relatively more detrimental for people whose
occupations or interests are highly dependent on good hearing,
and hearing loss is less likely to have detrimental effects for
people who have few social relationships and who do not
depend on hearing for occupational or leisure activities.
Hearing Loss - Implications
Psychosocial consequences
*Depression
*Social isolation
*Declines in cognitive function
*Diminished quality of life
Look for Red Flags of hearing loss
- Observed, mood or memory decline, socialization
Promote Lifestyle
Management for hearing loss
- Noise exposure, wax build up, smoking cessation
Support Management
Strategies for hearing loss
- Assistive listening devices, reduce background noise
Screening tool for hearing loss:
The Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIES)—10-item questionnaire
Who identify, diagnose and
manage individuals with
peripheral or central
hearing loss, tinnitus and
balance disorders
Audiologists
Aids to Independence for hearing loss
Personal phone or
sound amplifiers
* Cell phone with
amplification
* Large key pad
* 2 –way speaker phone
* Vibrating ringer alert
