Simply said, everything we see is light that reflects from the object that we are looking at. Normal aging, however, causes sight to deteriorate due to changes in the eye itself and in the nerves leading from the eye to the brain.

An older person’s eyes experience approximately 30% less light than young people’s and glare has a huge impact. Colour intensity and contrast therefore becomes more and more important as a person ages. In time the ability to see fine detail will also diminish. All of these factors may impact eye-hand coordination.

The world older people live in

    • Soft lighting may be relaxing but for older people it is a problem to see properly in theatres, foyers, restaurants and parking areas
    • Sudden glare may cause temporary blindness and in older people the ability to revert to normal sight takes longer
    • Overhead lighting may not be sufficient for older people wanting to read, study or accomplish tasks
    • Rooms and facilities in old-age homes are often painted in soft pastel colours. However, the older eye may experience this as dull or grey. People spending long hours in such rooms may even become depressed
    • Medicine tablets are often similar in shape and size, making it difficult to distinguish between them. The printing on medicine packaging is often so small that even younger people struggle to read it. Likewise medical fund documents, contracts, etc
    • There is little contrast in a person’s face, making it difficult for older people to participate in a conversation, especially when their hearing is also impaired and they have to lip read
    • Diminished ability for see colours may lead to the older person being unable to see changes in their own bodies, such as bruises, skin discoloration, rash and changes in moles. It may therefore happen that the necessary treatment is not sought in time
    • Poor depth perception makes it difficult for older people to determine the depth of, for example, a bath or steps
    • A lack of contrast may make it difficult to see where one thing ends and the other starts, for example, where a carpet ends and floor tiles begin.

These are just some examples of the world that older people with impaired sight have to adapt to.

What we can do to help

It is said that 70% of people will experience some loss of sight as they get older. Should that happen to you, you will appreciate support from those around you. Set the example by helping the elderly with sight impairment in your own circle. Ask them how you can help and then respectfully assist them. Here are some examples:

    • Accompany older people to places that may be unknown to them, for example a hospital, a taxi rank or a movie theatre
    • Offer to transport the older person
    • Ensure that there is enough light in the older person’s home, flat or room
    • Read for an older person
    • Offer to do alterations on clothing, darning or any other activity that the older person with sight impairment has problems with
    • Buy the older person a good quality pair of sunglasses to help prevent glare
    • When buying greeting cards and gift wrap for the elderly, choose bright colours
    • Give the elderly a pill box with separate compartments for each day of the week. Help the older person so sort his or her medication into the box
    • Put a slip-free plastic chair in the bath for an older person
    • Regularly visit the older people in your circle. People who cannot see well and/or are hard of hearing tend to withdraw from others and then become lonely and isolated. Encourage them to participate in society as far as possible.

 

Source
Nolan, D.E. 2002. Normal age-related vision loss and related services for the elderly.
Stephen F. Austin State University. http://www.laurenscharff.com/research/donia/aging_vision_front.htm.