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Our eyes function differently when we reach our 60s than they did when
we were in our 30s. We simply don't see as well at certain
distances. By the time we celebrate our 80th birthday, our
eyesight will have almost certainly declined further. Such changes in
vision are perfectly normal, offer few serious risks, and, in general,
are easily corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses.
But how do you know what constitutes a "normal" change in
vision strength and what is more serious? To determine the answer, your
doctor will want to know your specific symptoms.
The Aging Eye—Normal Changes and Their Symptoms
Symptom: Difficulty reading newsprint or prescription bottles.
What's happening? The most likely culprit is presbyopia, which is
the tightening of the muscles of the eye that allow us to focus at
close distances. Familiar to almost everyone over 40, this condition
occurs naturally and is easily corrected with bifocals or reading
glasses.
You may also be experiencing reduced visual acuity. Normal visual
acuity is 20/20 for a young person, and 20/40 for an older person. In
other words, an older person will normally be able to see at a 20-foot
distance what a younger person sees at a 40-foot distance. Again, this
is to be expected and is not a dramatic enough change to prevent you
from functioning fairly normally.
Symptom: Increased need for light; dimness makes it difficult
to focus on close tasks like sewing or handcrafts.
What's happening? As we grow older, the once-clear lens of
the eye grows progressively hazy and yellow, allowing for less light
to pass through. An older person normally requires four times more
light than a younger person—by age 80, it might be ten times. To
compensate, natural sunlight works best, followed by natural full
spectrum bulbs that imitate sunlight and are now available
commercially.
Symptom: "Do these socks match? Are they both black or is
one dark blue? I can't quite make out the white plates when
they're resting on the white tablecloth."
What's happening? It's common for the aging eye
to experience reduced contrast sensitivity, which makes it difficult
to differentiate similar patterns and colors. The simple use of bolder
contrasts can make your home safer and easier to navigate.
Other normal symptoms of the naturally aging eye:
- Difficulty adapting to changes in light and dark environments
- Difficulty with glare
- Reduced depth perception
- Reduced ability to see colors
- Eye dryness
- Floaters (tiny specks, usually noticeable in bright sunlight)
Is It Serious? The Warning Signs
While we can all expect some decline in vision as we grow older,
severe or persistent symptoms could indicate a serious degenerative
condition that could lead to low vision, or even blindness. Contact
your eye care professional immediately if you experience:
- Sudden hazy or blurred vision
- Recurrent pain in or around the eye
- Double vision
- Seeing flashes of light
- Seeing halos around lights
- Unusual, even painful, sensitivity to light or glare
- Changes in the color of the iris
- Sudden development of persistent floaters
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At any age, it's important to have your eyes checked regularly. If symptoms or concerns arise, contact your eye care professional as soon as possible. |
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Understanding my diagnosis helped me take control of my vision loss.
