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Topics on this page include:Everyone's eyes change with age - like death and taxes, it is inevitable. As people approach age forty, they should educate themselves about vision changes that occur with age so they are aware of what is normal and what is abnormal.
One of the earliest symptoms that indicates a person's eyes are aging is they discover it is harder to focus on things close to them. People find they are holding the newspaper farther and farther away in order to read it. Suddenly they realize their arms are "too short" and they need reading glasses for close work. This usually begins to occur around age forty.
As people get older, they often notice they need more light to see and it is harder to adjust to glare or darkness. As time goes on, they may also begin to notice it is harder to tell the difference between some colors, especially shades of blue and green, particularly at low light levels.
People tend to visit their medical doctor and dentist on a regular basis. They also need to visit their eye doctor regularly, especially after age forty. Between ages forty and sixty-five, people should have a complete eye exam every two years. After age sixty-five, people should have a complete eye exam every one to two years. People who have a family history of eye diseases such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, or those with a chronic condition such as diabetes, should have an eye exam every year.
If significant loss of vision occurs, low-vision rehabilitation training can help patients make the most of the vision they have. There are a number of resources for people with low vision.
Eye diseases and conditions often found in older people
Several eye problems are associated with aging. At the very least, most people develop presbyopia, the condition in which the lens hardens and becomes less flexible, making it harder to focus their eyes. People suffering from presbyopia have difficulty focusing on things close to them and need glasses for reading. Other eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration also tend to occur as people age. Therefore, between the ages of forty and sixty-five, everyone should get a complete eye exam at least every two years. After age sixty-five, people should get a complete eye exam every one to two years. If a person has a family history of eye diseases such as glaucoma or macular degeneration or a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, he or she should have annual eye exams. However, any changes in the appearance of your eyes or vision between regularly scheduled visits with your eye specialist should be checked. Early detection and treatment can be the key to preventing sight loss.
The Regional Eye Center specializes in the treatment of eye diseases commonly found in older people. They include:
- Cataracts
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Dry eyes
- Glaucoma
- Macular degeneration
- Retinal tears and detachments
- Diseases of the eyelids
- Blepharitis
- Ectropion lid
- Entropion lid
- Ptosis
- Corneal eye diseases
Examples of changes that should be referred to an eye specialist include:
- Unusual trouble adjusting to dark rooms
- Difficulty focusing on close or distant objects
- Unusual sensitivity to light or glare
- Change in the color of the iris
- Red-rimmed, encrusted or swollen lids
- Recurrent pain in or around the eyes
- Double vision
- Dark spot at the center of your vision
- Lines and straight edges appear wavy or distorted
- Excess tearing or "watery eyes"
- Dry eyes with itching or burning
- Seeing spots or ghost-like images
The following symptoms are indications of serious medical problems and need immediate attention:
- Sudden loss of vision in one eye
- Sudden hazy or blurred vision
- Flashes of light or black spots in the field of vision
- Halos or rainbows around lights
- Curtain-like blotting out of vision
- Loss of peripheral (side) vision
Tips for compensating for age-related vision limitations
As people age, they should make the most of the vision they have. Adding extra lights around the house will not only help a person see better, it may prevent accidents caused by poor eyesight. When reading or doing close work, a person with aging eyes can increase the amount of light by moving lamps closer to the reading area or increasing the wattage of the bulbs in light fixtures.
When taking medications, older people should read the label carefully and follow directions. They should take their medications in a well-lit room to avoid confusing directions or mixing up medications. If taking medications for vision problems, patients should be sure to follow the schedule closely because those medications are designed to prevent further loss of sight.
Older people should remember that their peripheral (side) vision and reaction time might be reduced as they grow older. They should keep this in mind when walking near traffic or driving. As people age, it is also more difficult to see at night. In order to maximize their vision at night, older people should limit their night driving to well lit roads, keep their headlights and windshields clean, and keep their glasses clean.