Astigmatism is a type of vision problem that tends to worsen with age. It happens when the clear, rounded surface of the cornea or the lens develops a slight imperfection. This uneven surface distorts light as it enters the eye and distorts vision. Fortunately, astigmatism is very treatable. Seniors can wear corrective lenses or get a surgery to reshape the warped eye surface. Normally astigmatism is not diagnosed unless a senior gets an eye exam, but the following symptoms may warn Ft. Lauderdale live-in caregivers that their loved ones’ eyesight is compromised. Seniors with astigmatism often have to strain their eyes to focus on blurred objects. This causes severe eye strain that often results in unpleasant, pounding headaches or a dull throbbing feeling behind the eyes. If your loved one complains about a persistent ache behind the eyes, make an appointment with an optometrist. Blurry vision is normally just a sign of nearsightedness or farsightedness, but astigmatism causes blurriness at all distances. Whether an object is close up or far away from a senior, he or she may notice that it looks blurry or fuzzy. Unlike cataracts, this blurred vision will not seem foggy or filmy. The vision defects caused by astigmatism are often compared to a funhouse mirror. When the cornea is warped by a defect or injury, it can make objects appear abnormally tall, thin, short, or wide. Ask your loved one to describe what he or she sees when reading or watching TV and note it for the optometrist. Unusual Face and Head MovementsSeniors with astigmatism may unconsciously adjust their posture and movements to compensate for the blurred vision. Sometimes, tilting the head a certain way or squinting the eye can help to reduce the amount of blur caused by astigmatism. Trouble Seeing at Night Since astigmatism generally worsens gradually over time, seniors may not actually realize that their vision is blurring. However, they will have more trouble seeing in dim areas because they cannot use the differences in color to distinguish objects. To help your senior loved one overcome the challenges of vision problems or other health concerns, turn to Home Care Assistance of Ft. Lauderdale. As the leading provider of local live-in and hourly home care, we are dedicated to helping seniors age safely and comfortably in their own homes. Our highly trained caregivers see to this by assisting seniors with all aspects of daily life including running errands, meal preparation, medication reminders, and more. Call (954) 909-0370 today to learn more about our services from an experienced Care Manager.