Clean and whole glasses

It happens that people living in nursing homes wear dirty glasses. Everyone who needs to use glasses knows how vision is affected by dirty glasses. To this, the lens of the eye becomes cloudy as we age so when the glasses are cloudy it becomes doubly cloudy and even harder to focus and see.

Vision is important for our well-being. Many elderly people have a limited economy and have not had an eye examination for a long time. The tear fluid also changes. This can cause the eyes to become dry. It can cause discomfort such as chafing and burning. Following up on vision and eyes is an important preparation for the annual doctor's visit. Cataract with a cloudy lens is a disease that often comes with aging.

Consequences of impaired vision

Impaired vision has consequences for quality of life. It can deteriorate the ability to take care of oneself, for example buttoning buttons, and also create insecurity in social contacts. Poor vision can also contribute to fall injuries. Not being able to read or watch TV also creates isolation towards the outside world. Glasses are included in the reasonable standard of living and those who cannot afford it can apply for social assistance to get an eye examination and new glasses.

Changes in vision often come creeping. For those who live in a nursing home, it is not entirely easy to get to the optician to get new glasses. When examining municipal records, information is sometimes missing about both whether the resident has glasses and when they last went to an optician.

Complement to glasses

One way to reduce the consequences of visual impairment is to have thoughtful lighting. Older apartments can be dim and often have uneven lighting. Especially in the dining room, good lighting can have a good effect on appetite. We eat with our eyes too. A white tablecloth and light interior details can help create light in the room. Poor lighting can also cause headaches and tired eyes. Disturbing light such as flickering light tubes can create anxiety and worry. There may also be a need to block out strong sunlight, no one wants to be dazzled by the sun.

Many opticians today have equipment so that they can examine the vision of people who cannot fully participate in the eye examination. It is important that follow-up of vision is included in the preparations for the annual doctor's visit. Cataracts and dry eyes can be treated and it may be good to remind relatives that it may be good to go to the optician.

Reflection questions - vision
Care personnel:
- Do you have good routines to see that the residents have clean glasses?
- Is there any of the residents who have bad glasses?  

Manager, nurse, occupational therapist and physiotherapist:
. Is follow-up of vision included in your annual recurring work?
- Does it happen that older people cannot afford new glasses?
- How do you help them with that?

Relatives and residents:
- Does your relative see well with their glasses?
- Would they need to visit an optician?  

Erland Olsson
Specialist nurse
Sofrosyne - Better care every day