Preventing Top Eye Injuries in Older Adults

​Eye injuries can happen to anyone, regardless of their age, but as we get older, we may be more likely to sustain injuries for a variety of reasons. There are several things we can do to protect ourselves and our family members. 

Why older adults may sustain injuries 

Anyone of any age can get an eye injury. There are several ways eye injuries occur, including car accidents, fights, and falls. In fact, falls are one of the most common ways an older adult gets an eye injury.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, research indicates that a large number of emergency room visits due to falls happen to people over the age of 60. Falls may occur more often in older adults due to the following:

Cognitive decline: As we age, some people have a decrease in their cognitive functioning. Our brain goes through an unconscious process to allow us to maintain our balance, but that process may not be as efficient as we get older, which leads to falls.

Vision problems: With age, vision can get worse, which leaves someone with poor depth perception or problems with glare. This can cause misjudging distance or step height, which leads to a fall.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, having a vision problem if you are over age 65 doubles your risk of a fall.  
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Types of injuries in older adults 

Older adults may sustain the same types of injuries as younger people. Injuries can include:

• Soft tissue injury, such as a black eye
• Orbital bone fracture
• Rupture of the globe
• Torn or damaged eyelid
• Corneal scratch. 

Although the type of injury can be similar to someone of any age, older adults may be more likely to have complications or heal slower. 
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Preventing eye injuries 

Eye injuries are often preventable. There are steps you can take to protect yourself or a loved one. Consider the suggestions below.

Be aware of tripping hazards inside and outside: Take a look around your home and identify any tripping hazards. For instance, look for loose rugs or electrical cords that are easy to trip on. Make sure all railings are secure. Check outside for uneven walkways. Often tripping hazards are an easy fix. 

Have regular eye exams: Certain eye conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, are more common as we get older. But some eye conditions do not cause symptoms at first, which means they go undiagnosed. Having regular eye exams may increase the likelihood that an eye condition is diagnosed early, which can protect your vision. Better vision may result in fewer falls and eye injuries.

Consider installing grab bars in the bathroom: Falls getting in and out of the bathtub are more common as we get older. Installing a grab bar can reduce the risk. In addition, add non-slip mats to the bathtub and outside the shower.

Light hallways and stairs: Dark hallways and stairs can increase the risk of tripping and sustaining an eye injury. Make sure those areas are well lit and easy to navigate.

Use protective eyewear as needed: Falls are not the only cause of eye injuries that older adults may get. Other types of injuries, such as chemical burns or a foreign object in the eye, can occur at any age. Be sure to wear safety goggles when working around your home, such as doing yard work, painting, or using chemicals.

Although it may not be possible to prevent all eye injuries, taking the steps above can reduce your risk. If you have any questions about preventing eye injuries or any other eye health concerns, we are here to help.

Also, if you would like to talk about whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.