Vision Changes with Age: What’s Normal, and What’s Cause for Concern?

Vision changes as you get older. It’s an expected part of the aging process, and glasses or corrective lenses can often fix it. Yet, some vision changes indicate a more serious condition requiring specialized attention. What is the difference? 

Dr. Bimal Patel at Focus Refined Eye Care in Montrose and The Heights sections of Houston, Texas, recommends regular eye exams for preventive care. Annual eye exams evaluate your eye health and vision so you can update your prescription as needed, keep eye health records, and catch any symptoms early.

What are normal vision changes as you age? 

Aging brings changes throughout your body, including your eyes. Typical age-related vision changes include: 

• Less ability to see up close
• Difficulty distinguishing colors like blue from black 
• Light sensitivity - you may need more light to see and more time to adjust to changing light levels

We can usually address these natural vision changes with the right lenses and lighting. However, some age-related vision changes can indicate more serious vision complications. 

What vision changes are cause for concern? 

It can be easy to miss early symptoms of eye diseases. That’s why we dilate your eyes during your eye exam. Eye dilation makes it easier to see inside your eye and pick up on any potential problems. 

Your overall health makes a difference, too. For example, if you have diabetes, you’re at greater risk for diabetic retinopathy, which can damage the blood vessels in your eyes and cause vision loss.

Other concerning age-related vision changes include: 

Glaucoma 

Caused by fluid buildup in your eye, the early stages of glaucoma are easy to miss for many people. Pupil dilation can help us catch it early and treat it with prescription eye drops, lasers, or surgery. 

Cataracts

These cloudy spots in your eye can be small or grow larger and impact your vision. We check your eye health and look for early symptoms of cataracts. If you are experiencing cataracts, we will make treatment recommendations.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

This common disease damages the macula, the part of your retina that controls vision. It causes you to be unable to see details when you look at something straight on. 

Risk factors include heart disease, overweight, and a medical history of AMD. 

Dry eye

If your eyes feel burning or stinging, your tear glands may not work well. Dry eye is a common complaint as people age; sometimes, a simple fix like a home humidifier helps. In other cases, you may require more specialized treatment, such as prescription eye drops, tear duct plugs, or surgery. 

How to protect your vision 

You can make many lifestyle choices to protect your vision as you age. These include eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, not smoking, and keeping your blood pressure regular. 

When you’re outside, wear sunglasses with UV protection and get regular eye exams. Dr. Patel uses dilated eye exams and cutting-edge technology to assess your eye health and vision. Focus Refined Eye Care has offices in The Heights and Montrose neighborhoods in Houston, Texas, and you can make an appointment here.