5 Common Age-Related Vision Changes

Your body naturally changes as you age, as anyone with many birthdays under their belt understands. “Nothing escapes time,” says ophthalmologist Claudia Perez-Straziota, MD. “Our hair doesn’t. Our joints don’t. And our eyes don’t either.”

So, what vision changes might you see after age 40? We asked Dr. Perez-Straziota to give us a clear picture.

5 common age-related vision changes

You may find it tougher to read small text as you get older. Your view of the world may get cloudier and out of focus, too. And if your eyes start feeling uncomfortably dry … well, you’re not imagining it.

Here are five conditions that may be behind those changes and more.

1. Presbyopia

If you find yourself shopping for reading glasses after turning 40, blame the seemingly inevitable rite of passage known as presbyopia. That’s the medical term for your eyes losing their camera-like ability to autofocus and see up-close items.

It happens as the lenses in your eyes stiffen and grow less flexible over time. Signs of presbyopia include:

• Difficulty reading things up close (and holding things farther away to compensate)
• Eye strain or headaches from doing up-close work
• Needing more light for reading

Although onset differs from person to person, symptoms typically develop slowly over time. (Think drippy faucet as opposed to a burst pipe.)

“Odds are, you won’t wake up one day and say, ‘I can’t see clearly,’” says Dr. Perez-Straziota. “More likely, you’ll just start realizing you’re having a little difficulty and then a little more. It happens to all of us, too. It’s a given.”

2. Cataracts

Your eye lens features a matrix of precisely arranged proteins called crystallin. As you age, these proteins often break down or clump together to form cloudy areas on the lens. These are called cataracts.

The process often starts after age 40, but you probably won’t see signs of cataracts until you’re in your 60s. You may experience:

• Cloudy vision
• Difficulty reading in normal light
• More frequent vision prescription changes
• Nighttime driving issues (like halo vision)

“Over time, cataracts can become too cloudy for you to see clearly,” says Dr. Perez-Straziota.

If your cataracts become significant, your eye doctor may refer you to a cataract surgeon for an evaluation. The cloudy lens can be removed and replaced with an artificial lens to restore your vision.

3. Glaucoma

Pressure buildup is rarely a good thing, and that’s especially true inside your eyeballs.

Aging can gum up drainage canals that trap a liquid called aqueous humor in your eye. As the fluid accumulates, it puts pressure on your eye that can eventually damage your optic nerve and cause glaucoma.

Left untreated, this can lead to permanent vision loss. Most types of glaucoma affect people age 40 and older. It’s estimated that 1 in 10 people age 75 and older has the condition.

“That’s why it’s so important to get regular eye exams, particularly as you get older,” emphasizes Dr. Perez-Straziota. “Early diagnosis of glaucoma can slow it down and preserve your vision.”

4. Age-related macular degeneration

As the name suggests, getting older plays a role in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The condition affects your central vision, making it difficult to see things directly in front of you. It results from your macula breaking down. (The macula is the central part of the retina that gives you crisp, straight-ahead vision.)

AMD mostly occurs past the age of 50. Symptoms include:

• Blurred vision
• Difficulty seeing in dim light
• Changes in the way you see colors
• Straight lines suddenly appearing distorted or wavy
• Blank or dark spots in your field of vision

“Macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss as we get older,” says Dr. Perez-Straziota. “It happens gradually, though, which is why early detection and treatment can keep it from advancing.”

5. Dry eye

Tear production tends to decrease as you get older. As your waterworks slow, your risk of dry eye increases. Other changes to your eye (like a reduction in lubricating oil) can also contribute to the condition.

You may start to notice dry eye symptoms in your 40s. These include:

• A scratchy or gritty feeling in your eyes
• Burning or stinging in your eyes
• Blurry fluctuating vision
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Eye discharge (mucus)
• Watery eyes (due to a decrease in eyelid oil production)

“There’s no cure for dry eye, but you can manage it with eye drops and other treatments,” says Dr. Perez-Straziota. “Work with your regular eye doctor to find the right approach to bring relief.”

When to see an eye doctor about age-related vision changes

Changes to your eyes may seem inevitable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it. Age-related vision issues can often be managed and limited with timely treatment.

Dr. Perez-Straziota adds that process starts with scheduling routine exams to check the health of your eyes. The American Optometric Association recommends this appointment schedule for adults:

• Ages 18-64: At least one eye exam every two years if you have no existing vision issues. Schedule an annual appointment if you have a vision prescription or increased risk of vision problems.
• Ages 65 and older: Annual eye exams.

If you notice a sudden or significant decline in your vision between exams, Dr. Perez-Straziota recommends making an appointment with an optometrist or ophthalmologist to get your eyes looked at sooner rather than later.

“Don’t ignore problems with your vision,” she stresses. “So many eye conditions are treatable. We have a wide range of options to help you see clearly again.”