Ageing Eyes: What vision changes can you expect as you get older?
Just as our bodies start to change as we get older, so to do our eyes. Some of these changes are nothing to worry about while others require regular monitoring from our optometrist and eye doctor.
So what are the most common vision changes we experience as we age?
Presbyopia
The most common vision change experienced by people over the age of 40 is Presbyopia. This is a perfectly normal loss of focusing ability due to hardening of the lens inside your eye and often results in it being harder to focus on objects up close (like reading the newspaper).
Most people start compensating for this gradual decline in focusing ability by holding reading material farther away from their eyes. But eventually prescription reading glasses or contact lenses will be required.
Dry Eyes
As we get older, our bodies naturally produce fewer tears, this often leads to a minor condition known as dry eye. Symptoms of dry eye can range from mild irritation through to burning or stinging. Most of the time dry eye can be easily treated with over the counter lubricating eye drops. However if symptoms do not improve with the use of lubricating eye drops it is important to speak with your eye health professional as there may be other options such as prescription dry eye medication.
Decreased Colour Vision
Our ability to see colour is determined by specialised cells in the back part of the eye called the retina. As we age, these cells decline in sensitivity and as a result colours become less bright and the contrast between different colours tends to be less noticeable. This gives a “washed out” appearance when looking at objects that once appeared vivid. While this progressive loss of colour perception is not harmful, there is unfortunately no treatment for this natural process.
In addition to minor, if slightly annoying, vision changes we experience as we age; there are several serious age-related eye diseases that need to be diagnosed and treated early to prevent permanent vision loss. These include:
Macular Degeneration
Also known as age-related macular degeneration or AMD, macular degeneration is a degenerative disease of the centre of the retina that causes progressive, painless loss of central vision. It affects the ability to see fine detail, drive, read and recognise faces. AMD is the leading cause of blindness among Australians over the age of 50. Because the early stages of AMD can be symptom-free, it is important to schedule regular visits with your eye health professional after the age of 50.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that causes damage to the blood vessels of the retina—the tissue that lines the back part of the eye, responsible for sharp, detailed vision. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness in the working age group and occurs in more than half of people who develop diabetes. Like AMD the early stages of diabetic retinopathy can be symptom-free and you may not notice any problems with your vision for quite some time even though you may have developed considerable damage to the retina. This highlights the importance of getting eyes examinations regularly if you suffer from diabetes
Vitreous Detachment
As we get older, the gel-like vitreous inside the eye begins to liquefy and pull away from the retina, causing the appearance of ‘floaters’ and occasionally flashes of light. This condition, called vitreous detachment is often harmless. However, floaters and flashes of light can also suggest the beginning of retinal detachment, a serious condition that can cause blindness if not promptly treated. If you experience flashes and floaters, it is important to inform your eye doctor immediately so that they can determine the cause.
There are many aspects of the ageing process that we simply can’t do anything about. However, by improving the lifestyle choices we make such as eating a healthy, varied diet; getting regular exercise and quitting smoking we can certainly reduce our chances of developing some of the more serious eye complications associated with age.
If you or someone you know is experiencing visual changes due to age, it is important to seek regular advice from a qualified eye health professional. For any questions or to make an appointment at The Retina Centre please call 9455 0700