As we age our body, skin and hair changes. As we turn 60 and above, the performance of our eyes also decreases.
Presbyopia is part of the natural aging process. Cataracts are so common among 60+ they could be seen as age-related but are a disease. Thankfully, nowadays, cataract surgery is so effective that 100% of vision loss due to cataracts is usually restored.
Below gives you a timeline of age-related and eye disease that can affect your quality of life as you get older. Links are throughout the table giving further information.
| Vision And Aging | ||
| Age | Eye Problems | What To Do |
| 40s | You can’t escape presbyopia (difficulty with near vision focus). | Have routine eye exams at least every two years, and explore vision correction options. |
| Be aware of increased risk of dry eye & computer vision syndrome. | Eat a healthy diet high in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. | |
| 50s | Risks increase for cataracts, glaucoma & macular degeneration (AMD). | Have routine eye exams. |
| Presbyopia becomes more advanced. | Multiple eyewear solutions might be needed for presbyopia at this age. | |
| Risk of dry eye increases for women after menopause. | Tell your eye doctor about medications (some can cause visual side effects, including dry eye). | |
| 60s | Risks increase for common age-related eye diseases (see 50s above). | Besides regular eye exams, have annual physicals to identify underlying conditions such as diabetes that might cause eye problems. |
| Ability to see in low lighting decreases. | Use brighter lights for reading. Allow more time to adjust to changing light conditions. | |
| Age-related eye changes cause visual disturbances such as spots & floaters. | If eye floaters appear suddenly, see your eye doctor immediately (this might be a retinal detachment). | |
| 70s & 80s | Most people in this age group already have or will develop cataracts. | Cataract surgery is the only option for correcting cataracts. |
| Color vision declines, and visual fields begin to narrow. | Ask your eye doctor about eyewear or lenses for increasing contrast vision. Use extra caution while driving. | |