Vision and Hearing Wellness

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Cornea

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Iris

Question 3

Situated behind iris, focuses light onto the retina

Answer 3

Lens

Question 4

• Converts visual stimuli into neural impulse messages to the optic nerve

Answer 4

Retina

Question 5

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

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Mild Visual Impairments

Answer 6

1. Reduced contrast sensitivity
2. Glare sensitivity
3. Increased lighting requirements
4. Decreased ability to focus close up
5. Decreased depth perception

Question 7

4 Common Eye
Conditions
affecting the
older adult…

Answer 7

CATARACTS
MACULAR DEGENERATION
GLAUCOMA
RETINAL NEUROPATHY

Question 8

Opacification of the
lens
* Transmission of light
to retina is reduced
* Leading cause of
visual impairment in
older adults

Answer 8

CATARACT

Question 9

RISK FACTORS OF CATARACT

Answer 9

• Systemic disease, malnutrition, trauma, medications, advanced age
• Head and neck radiation
• Smoking and sunlight exposure

Question 10

Is the functional centre of
the retina

Answer 10

• Macula

Question 11

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

Answer 11

Age-Related Macular Degeneration
(AMD)

Question 12

Risk Factors for AMD

Answer 12

• Advanced age
• Family history
• Smoking
• Exposure to sunlight

Question 13

Management for AMD

Answer 13

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)

Question 14

• Optic nerve
  damaged by an
  abnormal buildup
  of aqueous humor
  in the eye

Answer 14

Glaucoma

Question 15

a clear fluid
which normally
maintains eye
pressure

Answer 15

Aqueous humour

Question 16

A leading cause of
blindness

Answer 16

Glaucoma

Question 17

Risk Factors of Glaucoma

Answer 17

• Elevated pressure
  in the eye
• Family history
• Age (especially
  over age 60)
• Ethnicity (African,
  Asian and
  Indigenous
  decent)
• Myopia
  (nearsightedness)

Question 18

• 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

Answer 18

Diabetic Retinopathy

Question 20

Risk Factors of Diabetic Retinopathy

Answer 20

• 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

Question 21

Management for Diabetic Retinopathy

Answer 21

• 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)

Question 22

Hearing Loss – Risk Factors

Answer 22

Male gender
Increased age
Genetic predisposition
Exposure to noise
Impacted cerumen
Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
Ototoxic medications
Certain medical conditions

Question 23

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

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Persistent
sensation of
ringing, roaring,
blowing and
buzzing

Answer 24

Tinnitus

Question 25

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

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Abnormalities of external and middle ear interfering with sound conduction

Answer 26

Conductive

Question 27

Abnormalities of sensory and neural structures of inner ear, usually age related or noise induced

Answer 27

Sensorineural

Question 28

Both conductive and sensorineural involvement

Answer 28

Mixed

Question 29

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 29

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.

Question 30

Hearing Loss - Implications Psychosocial consequences

Answer 30

*Depression *Social isolation *Declines in cognitive function *Diminished quality of life

Question 31

Look for Red Flags of hearing loss

Answer 31

* Observed, mood or memory decline, socialization

Question 32

Promote Lifestyle Management for hearing loss

Answer 32

* Noise exposure, wax build up, smoking cessation

Question 33

Support Management Strategies for hearing loss

Answer 33

* Assistive listening devices, reduce background noise

Question 34

Screening tool for hearing loss:

Answer 34

The Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIES)—10-item questionnaire

Question 35

Who identify, diagnose and manage individuals with peripheral or central hearing loss, tinnitus and balance disorders

Answer 35

Audiologists

Question 36

Aids to Independence for hearing loss

Answer 36

Personal phone or sound amplifiers * Cell phone with amplification * Large key pad * 2 –way speaker phone * Vibrating ringer alert