6 Ways Our Eyes Change as We Get Older

The American Geriatrics Society stresses the importance of regular eye exams because aging is a life changer. Your eyes and vision change as you get older. Regular eye checks can catch possible eye problems early, allowing for early treatments. Understanding the ways your eye change can help you take extra care of them. Below are the different eye and vision changes that may occur.

 

1. Ptosis

A person with drooping upper eyelids has ptosis. This can happen to one or both eyes. Your eye doctor will determine if the drooping is obstructing your vision or not. Some people’s eyelids droop in such a way that they cover the pupils. Others have drooping eyelids that are too minimal to notice. The weakness of the levator muscle is the main cause of ptosis. This muscle lifts the eyelid. Eye disease, aging, or eye surgery can affect the nerve or levator muscle. Surgery can correct this eye condition.

 

2. Peripheral Vision Loss

Studies show that aging can cause peripheral vision loss by one to three degrees every ten years of life. By age 70, a person will have lost peripheral vision by 20 to 30 degrees. Although the loss of one’s peripheral vision is a natural event in aging people, it may also be a sign of glaucoma. Seeing your eye doctor right away is important if you notice any degree of vision loss.

 

3. Cataracts

These develop on the natural lenses of the eyes. The proteins in the lenses gather on the lens surface until the lenses become blurry or cloudy. Cataracts often start by the time you reach 40 years old. You may first notice your distance vision becoming blurry. Your near vision may even become clearer.

The natural lenses will, later on, turn yellowish or brownish. This can prevent you from determining the right color. This can lead to complete vision loss. Eye surgery can help improve your eyesight. Your eye doctor can remove the cloudy lenses and replace them with clear, artificial ones.

 

4. PVD (Posterior Vitreous Detachment)

This condition happens when the gel-like material behind the eye pulls away from the retina and shrinks. PVD happens during aging. It can cause flashes of light and floaters. This condition may happen suddenly.

 

5. Pupil Size Reduction

The muscles that control pupil size in bright or dim lighting can weaken because of aging. Poor lighting conditions can cause the pupils to become smaller. This causes the appearance of halos while driving at night. It can make it difficult to work on a computer or read under dim lights.

 

6. Presbyopia

At age 40, you may start experiencing this eye condition. This is age-related farsightedness. Presbyopia can make it difficult to use your computer, send text messages, knit, or read. Some patients will need intermediate, distance, and near vision needs. These patients will need multiple lens powers.

Your eyes can change as you get older. Knowing how your eyes change can help you prevent them or slow their progress. At Trinity Eye Care, we help our patients find effective solutions to their eye health needs. Please visit our clinic in Plano, Texas, for an in-person consultation. Call us at 972-895-9260 to schedule an appointment or ask about our different eye treatment packages.