Age ushers in many changes, including changes in our eyesight. While some of those changes are a normal part of aging, other changes can be a sign of a more serious underlying problem that needs prompt medical attention. Knowing when to seek treatment is the key to avoiding complications that could lead to permanent vision loss.
At Long Island Ophthalmic Concepts, our team helps patients of all ages understand their changing vision needs with comprehensive eye exams to maintain healthy eyes and clear vision. In this post, learn what age-related vision changes are normal and what issues our team should evaluate.
Below are some of the most common vision changes you can expect as you get older.
As you age, you’ll probably find it harder to focus on near objects, like a book or computer screen. This is a common condition called presbyopia, and it happens when the lens of your eye loses flexibility, making it harder for it to focus light on the retina at the back of your eye. Most people with presbyopia benefit from wearing reading glasses to continue to easily perform close-up activities.
We depend on a steady supply of tears to keep our eyes moist. But as we age, we tend to produce fewer tears or our tear quality may suffer, leading to dry, itchy, burning eyes. Artificial tears can help reduce your symptoms, and using a humidifier in dry environments may be useful, too.
Aging eyes also may not see as well at night, or you may find your eyes are far more sensitive to glare, including the glare from oncoming headlights. Sometimes, these problems are due to cataracts, but they’re often associated with age-related eye structure changes.
Again, cataracts can cause colors to appear less bright, but so can other age-related changes. Your retina tends to become less sensitive to colors as you age, and your eye’s natural lens may develop a yellow “cast” that makes colors appear dull or less vibrant.
While the changes listed above aren’t necessarily anything to worry about, our team should evaluate other issues immediately.
Seeing flashes of light or the appearance of a “curtain” descending over your field of vision can be signs of retinal detachment, a serious condition that requires immediate care. Without emergency treatment, retinal detachment can lead to permanent vision loss.
Most of us have had floaters from time to time — tiny dots or “squiggles” in our field of vision that dart away when we try to look at them. While a few floaters are nothing to worry about, if you have a lot of floaters or if floaters increase suddenly, that can be a sign of a serious retina problem that requires emergency care.
Sudden changes in vision can be a sign of a serious eye-related problem or another medical issue, like a stroke. Any abrupt change in your vision should be evaluated right away.
While some difficulty seeing in low-light environments isn’t uncommon, increasing difficulty seeing at night or in dim situations can be a sign of a serious, vision-threatening problem, like cataracts or age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Red eyes can be associated with allergies or dry eyes, but they can also be a sign of glaucoma, a serious eye disease that’s also a leading cause of blindness. Glaucoma becomes more common with age, and it’s also more common among people with diabetes.
Peripheral vision is your ability to see out of the “corners” of your eyes. If you have problems with your peripheral vision, it might be a sign of glaucoma, and our team should check it immediately.
Age-related eye problems can be difficult to spot in their early stages, so you might not know you have an issue until permanent vision loss occurs. Regular eye exams are one of the best ways to protect your vision now and in the future.
To schedule your exam or to find out what’s causing your changes in vision, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Long Island Ophthalmic Concepts in Bellmore and Great Neck, New York, today.
