Aging is a natural part of life — with it comes changes that affect our eyes. While some vision changes are natural as we age, others can indicate a developing eye disease. Understanding what to expect can help you take better care of your eye health. Here’s a look at how our eyes change over time, and the steps you can take to maintain good vision throughout the years.
1. Presbyopia: The Need for Reading Glasses
One of the most common changes people notice as they age is presbyopia — the inability to focus on near objects. Presbyopia typically starts in your 40s and progresses over time. You might find yourself holding books or your phone at arm’s length to read clearly. Some may also experience headaches and eye strain when doing close-up work.
What you can do: Fortunately, presbyopia is easily managed with reading glasses, bifocals, progressive lenses, or even multifocal contact lenses. Your optometrist and optician will work with you to determine what is best for your needs.
2. Dry Eyes: Less Moisture, More Discomfort
Our eyes produce fewer or poor-quality tears as we age, leading to dry eyes. People with dry eye syndrome can experience itching, burning, watering, or a gritty sensation, especially after reading or using digital devices. Hormonal changes, medications, and environmental factors can also contribute to dry eyes.
What you can do: Using preservative-free artificial tears, maintaining a humid environment, and taking regular breaks from screens can help relieve symptoms. For chronic dry eye, consult with your optometrist for treatment options.
3. Night Vision: “Driving at night? How about no.”
Driving at night often becomes more difficult as we age. Our night vision declines due to changes in the retina and smaller pupil diameters, reducing the amount of light entering the eye. Halos around lights, glare, and reduced contrast sensitivity are common signs of declining night vision.
What you can do: Make sure your prescription is up-to-date, consider high-quality anti-glare coatings on your glasses or choose lenses specifically designed for night driving.
4. Cataracts: Clouding of the Lens
Starting as early as our 40s, cataracts (a clouding of the eye’s natural lens) can begin forming. Symptoms of cataracts include blurred or dim vision, sensitivity to light, double vision, decreased night vision, and muted colours. Though cataracts develop slowly, they can eventually interfere with daily activities like reading or driving.
What you can do: Early stages of cataracts may not require immediate treatment, but once they start affecting your quality of life, cataract surgery is a safe and effective solution. Your optometrist will monitor your eye health and guide you on the best time for surgery.
5. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss in older adults. AMD affects the macula — the central part of the retina. Common symptoms are blurred, dark, or blind spots around your vision’s centre. You may also struggle with recognizing faces or experiencing visual distortions, such as straight lines appearing wavy.
What you can do: While there’s no cure for AMD, early detection is key to slowing its progression. Regular eye exams, a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, and protection from UV rays can help maintain your eye health.
6. Glaucoma: The Silent Threat
Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages the optic nerve, leading to permanent vision loss if left untreated. Elevated eye pressure is often (but not always) associated with glaucoma. Early stages of glaucoma usually have no noticeable symptoms as vision loss is gradual, making regular eye exams critical for early detection and treatment. Glaucoma often leads to the development of blind spots in the peripheral vision but can start to affect central vision in later stages.
What you can do: Regular eye exams that include intraocular pressure tests and optic nerve assessments can detect glaucoma in its early stages. Medications, eye drops, or surgery can help manage the condition.
Protecting Our Vision as We Age
While we can’t stop the clock, we can take steps to preserve our vision and eye health as we age.
Regular Eye Exams: Scheduling annual eye exams becomes even more important as we age. Early detection of conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Eating a balanced diet with leafy greens, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E can support overall eye health. Don’t forget to stay hydrated and protect your eyes from UV damage by wearing sunglasses.
Quit Smoking: Smoking increases your risk of developing age-related eye diseases like AMD and cataracts. Quitting smoking can have a positive impact on your eye health and overall well-being.
Manage Health Conditions: Diabetes, high blood pressure, and other medical conditions can affect your eyes. Keeping these under control can help prevent complications like diabetic retinopathy.