Educating Seniors at Hunterdon County Senior Center

Dr. Cristin Subramaniam visited the Hunterdon County Senior Center in Flemington, NJ to speak about cataracts and glaucoma. The "Brunch & Learn" was attended by seniors in the area.

Most age-related cataracts are caused by UV radiation from sunlight and is the leading cause of blindness in the world. Symptoms of cataracts include blurry or cloudy vision, increased light sensitivity, and glare (especially with night-time driving). Cataracts can be removed through a 10-minute outpatient procedure.

Glaucoma is a disease that causes damage to the optic nerve and results in gradual loss of vision. It usually develops over years without any symptoms. Most people will not notice any symptoms of glaucoma until the disease progresses to an advanced stage, which is why it is important to have regular eye exams. The vision that is lost due to damage from glaucoma cannot be recovered either, so diagnosing and treating the disease early is even more important.

Dr. Subramaniam stressed the importance of educating seniors about diseases that can affect them. "By keeping seniors informed, they stay healthier and continue to have a better quality of life", she said.