A Guide to Managing 6 Vision Changes that Can Come with Aging

As people age, changing vision is not only common—it’s expected. These vision changes can be gradual or sudden, and while many are a natural part of aging, some may indicate a more serious issue. Knowing what to expect, what causes these changes, and how to manage them is key to protecting your long-term eye health.

 Common Vision Changes with Age

Starting around age 40, most people begin to notice subtle shifts in how their eyes function. In fact, many vision changes are simply the result of the natural aging process. In other cases, however, vision changes can indicate a more serious issue. Some of the most common age-related vision changes include:

• Presbyopia – Difficulty focusing on close objects or small print. This is caused by a gradual thickening and loss of flexibility in the eye’s natural lens, which makes it harder to focus. This is one of the vision changes most frequently experienced by those over 40 and is usually not a major concern. However, blurred vision can also be a sign of cataracts, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy so we always recommend confirming the cause through a vision exam.

• Dry Eyes – A gritty, itchy, or burning sensation in the eyes. This is often due to age-related changes in tear production, hormonal shifts (especially during menopause), certain medications, or prolonged screen use. However, chronic dry eye may also indicate health concerns like Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Graves’ disease or diabetes.

• Light Sensitivity – Trouble with bright sunlight or night driving due to oncoming headlights. Sensitivity to light or glare can result from changes to the cornea and lens, or it could also be a sign of early development of cataracts or glaucoma.
• Decline in Color Perception – Colors may appear duller or harder to distinguish.
  Decreased color perception can be caused by decreasing function of cells in the retina or shrinking pupils that become less responsive to changes in lighting. However, it may also be related to cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration.
• Difficulty with Nighttime Vision: Struggling to see clearly in low-light settings.
  Difficulty adjusting from bright to dark settings, or trouble distinguishing details in dim lighting is another common vision change that comes with aging. Problems with low-light vision are often the result of deteriorating cells across the retina, but it can also signal cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.
• Floaters and Flashes: Seeing small shapes or flashes of light in your vision.
  Eye floaters and flashes are a common occurrence with aging, caused by a thickening of the eye’s vitreous gel. In most cases there is no need to worry about them. However, a sudden increase in floaters or flashes may indicate a retinal tear or detachment, which is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

 Tips to Manage Aging Vision Changes

As we have seen, some vision changes are a result of serious issues that should be treated by a professional. However, when it comes to non-threatening age-related changes, there are many ways to protect your eyes and comfortably adapt:

• Wear Corrective Lenses – Whether it’s reading glasses or updated prescriptions, using the right eyewear can relieve eye strain and improve clarity.
• Use Adequate Lighting – Brighten your home and work areas to reduce glare and make reading easier.
• Limit Screen Time – Take frequent breaks using the 20-20-20 rule – every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
• Eat a Vision-Healthy Diet – Include foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3s, like leafy greens, carrots, citrus fruits, and fatty fish.
• Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays – Always wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection when outdoors. Polarized lenses can add an additional layer of protection from harsh glare.
• Control Chronic Health Issues – Managing diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol can prevent vision complications.
• Quit Smoking – Smoking increases your risk for many eye diseases, including macular degeneration and cataracts.

 The Importance of Regular Eye Exams

One of the most effective ways to maintain healthy vision as you age is to visit us regularly for a comprehensive eye exam. These visits allow us to monitor changes, update prescriptions, and detect early signs of eye disease – often before symptoms become noticeable. At Family Vision Development Center, we treat patients of all ages, but we have an advanced understanding of the most common changes that can occur in aging adults, which means we can provide the most effective treatment options. Contact us at 630-862-2020 to schedule your vision exam today.

Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, sports vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear.