How does vision change with age?

Just as our physical endurance decreases over time, so does our vision, especially after the age of 60.

Some age-related conditions, such as presbyopia, are completely normal and do not need to worry us. Cataracts, also age-related, are very common in older people and can be corrected with surgery.

However, some of us will develop more serious problems that are likely to significantly affect our quality of life as we get older. Such conditions are glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

When do age-related diseases appear?

Presbyopia

After the age of 40 you will notice that it is more difficult to focus on near objects due to presbyopia. This is a completely normal difficulty focusing that worsens with age.

Initially you can deal with this difficulty by keeping the objects you want to focus on at a distance from your eyes. You will gradually need reading glasses, multifocal lenses or multifocal glasses. There are also some invasive solutions for presbyopia, such as monovision LASIK, and more recently kamra corneal prostheses (kamra inlay).

After the age of 50, presbyopia becomes more pronounced and you may need to change lenses more often, need two types of glasses for different near distances, or even multifocal glasses.

Cataract

Although cataracts are considered an age-related eye condition, they are also common at younger ages and can be characterized as normal wear and tear of the lens of the eye.

According to some researches, about half of Americans at the age of 65 develop cataracts, while at the age of 70 the percentage increases significantly. It is estimated that by 2020, more than 30 million Americans will suffer from cataracts.

Fortunately, modern cataract surgery is extremely safe and efficient, even reaching the rate of 100% restoration of vision that has been reduced due to this specific condition. If you notice cataract symptoms do not hesitate to discuss them with your doctor, as it is best to remove them at a not too advanced stage.

Diseases that appear with age

Macular degeneration

It is the leading cause of blindness among older Americans. More than 2 million Americans have macular degeneration. This figure is expected to increase to 5.4 million by 2050.

Glaucoma

The chance of developing glaucoma increases with each decade after age 40, from 1% to 12% at age 80. It is estimated that the percentage of Americans with glaucoma will increase by 50% by 2020.

Diabetic retinopathy

About 10.2 million Americans over the age of 40 develop diabetes. Many experts believe that more than 30% of people with diabetes are still undiagnosed.

40% of diabetics after the age of 40 develop some degree of diabetic retinopathy, while one in 12 diabetics at the same age develop severe vision-threatening retinopathy.

How does age affect the structure of your eyes?

Although presbyopia and cataracts are the first conditions that come to mind when we think of vision changes over time, there are other small changes that occur to vision and eyes as we age.

Shrinking of the eye pupil

As we get older the muscles that control the size and how our pupils react to light weaken. This results in the shrinking of the pupil and reduced reaction to light.

Because of this change, people in their 60s need three times as much light to read comfortably as they did in their 20s.

Older people are also more likely to be significantly bothered by sunlight or have blurred vision when they leave a dark room, such as a theater. Glasses with photochromic lenses or even anti-reflective coating can reduce these symptoms.

Dry eye

As we age, our eyes produce fewer tears, especially in menopausal women. If you experience burning, irritation, or other discomfort associated with dry eye, use artificial tears for relief, or contact your doctor for medication that combats dry eye.

Loss of peripheral vision

Over time our peripheral vision decreases by about one to three degrees in our visual fields per decade. By the age of 70 or 80 you are likely to have lost 20 to 30 degrees of your peripheral vision. This loss contributes to the increase in accidents while driving, so you need to be extra careful.

Decreased color perception

The cells of the retina responsible for the perception of colors weaken over time, causing a decrease in the perception of colors and different shades.

In particular, the blue color may appear more faded. Since there is no cure you should be careful if your profession requires detailed separation of colors (painter, dressmaker, electrician, etc.)

Vitreous detachment

As it grows, the vitreous inside the eye becomes more fluid and detaches from the retina, causing “drops and floaters” and sometimes flashes. This condition is usually harmless. However, particles and flashes can indicate a possible retinal detachment which is a serious condition and can cause vision loss if not treated immediately.

What can you do?

Good nutrition, a healthy lifestyle and avoiding smoking are your best natural allies against vision loss. You should also see your eye doctor regularly and tell him or her about any problems you have with your eyes or any family history of eye or other conditions. Your doctor should always be aware of any medication you have been prescribed in order to give you the most appropriate instructions for your eye health.