Over time, natural changes can affect your vision, making everyday tasks more challenging. Here are some of the most common age-related eye issues and what you can do about them.
Changes to your lenses and pupils
Your lenses, located at the front of your eyes, bend to focus light on the retina at the back of your eye, creating clear images. As you grow older, these lenses gradually harden, making it more difficult to focus on close objects. This condition, called presbyopia , typically begins after age 40 and can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Cataracts are another common lens issue that can develop with aging. Cataracts are cloudy areas that develop in the normally clear lens. While small ones may not significantly affect your vision, larger cataracts can make it feel like you’re looking through a foggy window. Depending on their size, brighter lighting and glasses can help, but larger cataracts may require surgery.
Age-related changes to your lenses and pupils can also affect your ability to see in dim light. Your lenses become denser, allowing less light to reach the retina. Additionally, the muscles that control your pupil size can weaken, making it harder for your eyes to adjust to changes in light. This can make night driving or moving from sunlight into a dim room more difficult.
Tear glands and eyelid changes
Over time, your tear glands may produce fewer or abnormal tears, resulting in dry eye. Over-the-counter eyedrops and gels can usually offer relief, but severe cases may require prescription eye drops, tear-duct plugs, or surgery.
Your eyelids can also become looser with age. This can impact their ability to protect and lubricate your eyes. Some people also experience drooping eyelids or occasional twitching. These conditions can be treated with medication or surgery if they cause vision problems or discomfort.
Retinal disorders
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
AMD is a common eye condition that happens as you get older. It affects the macula, the part of your eye that helps you see details clearly in the center of your vision. There are two types of AMD: dry and wet.
• About 80 percent of AMD cases are the dry type. This happens when the macula gets thinner, and small protein deposits called drusen build up. Dry AMD causes gradual vision loss in the center of your sight. A more serious form, called geographic atrophy, can be treated with eye injections. Drusen can be treated by a specific vitamin and mineral supplement.
• Wet AMD is more serious. It happens when new, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina. If they leak blood or other fluids, they can damage your macula. This condition requires quick treatment with eye injections.
Diabetic retinopathy
For people with diabetes, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss. It causes changes to the blood vessels in the retina. Treatments include eye injections and laser surgery to prevent further loss of vision.
Retinal tears and detachments
A retinal tear can develop when the retina pulls away from the eye’s inner wall. If it’s left untreated, this can lead to a retinal detachment, which significantly increases the risk of permanent vision loss. Both conditions are medical emergencies, and as a patient, there is no way to determine which one you are experiencing.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, it’s important to seek emergency eye care immediately. Delaying treatment can result in permanent vision loss.
• Blurred vision
• Flashing lights
• Multiple eye floaters, which are dots or specks in your vision that float away when you try to look at them
• Shadows, darkness, or a curtain in part of your visual field
A retinal tear can be fixed with a laser procedure or freeze treatment, but large tears or detachments may require surgery.
Other common issues
Another age-related eye problem is glaucoma. This happens when fluid in your eye builds up and increases the pressure on your optic nerve. Eyedrops or pills can help relieve the pressure. Laser surgery also can do that by draining some of the fluid.
Age-related changes to your eyes also can cause your vision to deteriorate to the point that you have trouble with routine tasks. This condition is called low vision. It can’t be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, but low vision specialists may be able to offer magnifying tools and other aids to help you navigate daily life.
Protecting your eye health
Regular eye exams are important at every stage of life, but they become even more important as you age. Depending on your eye health and any existing conditions, more frequent check-ups may be necessary.
To protect your vision, always wear sunglasses outdoors to shield your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) light.
Maintaining your overall well-being is also key to protecting your eye health. Healthy lifestyle habits — such as avoiding smoking, eating a nutrient-rich diet, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing underlying health conditions — can all contribute to better vision.
Your eyes play a critical role in your daily life. Give them the care they deserve to help keep your vision clear for years to come!
