Normal Vision Changes With Age vs. Signs to See an Eye Doctor

Holding the menu a little farther away. Needing more light to read. Taking longer to adjust when you walk into a dark room.

These changes can be unsettling, but many of them are a normal part of getting older. Others are signs that it's time to see an eye doctor, and a few need care right away.

This guide helps you tell the difference, in plain words.

Normal changes that come with age

The American Academy of Ophthalmology describes many common, expected changes. Here are some of the most familiar.

Trouble seeing up close

This is called presbyopia. The lens inside your eye becomes stiffer with age, so it's harder to focus on small print. The National Eye Institute says everyone gets it eventually, usually after age 45, and that it usually stops getting worse after about 65. Reading glasses often help.

Needing more light

Many people find they need brighter light for reading and close work as they age. The National Eye Institute lists brighter reading lights as one simple way to make close-up tasks easier.

Slower adjustment to the dark

Your eyes may take longer to adjust when you go from a bright room into a dim one. Night driving can feel harder.

Less contrast

It may be harder to see things that are close in color, like milk in a white cup.

Drier eyes

Tear production slows with age, and dry eye is especially common in women after menopause.

A few floaters

Small specks or threads drifting across your vision are common and usually harmless, especially against a blue sky or a plain wall.

An important reminder from the American Academy of Ophthalmology: vision loss is not a normal part of aging. Changes are expected, but losing sight is not something you just have to accept.

Three common eye conditions, explained simply

Cataracts

A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye. It's very common. The National Eye Institute says more than half of Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to remove them.

Cataracts usually develop slowly. You might notice:

• Blurry or hazy vision
• Colors that look faded
• More glare from lamps or headlights
• Trouble seeing at night

When cataracts start getting in the way of daily life, an eye doctor may suggest surgery, which is one of the most common operations in the United States.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain.

The National Eye Institute explains that the most common type usually has no symptoms at first. Half of people with glaucoma don't know they have it. Vision loss often starts slowly at the sides.

Your risk is higher if you are over 60, especially if you are Hispanic or Latina, or if glaucoma runs in your family. The only way to find it early is a dilated eye exam.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that gives you sharp, straight-ahead vision for reading and seeing faces. The National Eye Institute says people 55 and older are more likely to have it.

Early AMD often has no symptoms. Later, you might notice:

• A blurry area in the center of your vision
• Straight lines that look wavy or crooked
• Colors that seem less bright

AMD doesn't cause complete blindness, but it can make reading and driving harder.

Why regular eye exams matter

Many serious eye diseases are silent in the beginning. The National Eye Institute recommends a dilated eye exam every 1 to 2 years if you are over 60, and at least once a year for most people with diabetes or high blood pressure.

The exam is simple and painless. Drops widen your pupils so the doctor can see inside your eye.

Signs to make an appointment soon

Call your eye doctor if you notice:

• Vision that is slowly becoming blurry, hazy or dim
• More trouble with glare or night driving
• Faded colors
• Eyes that often feel dry, gritty or irritated
• Trouble reading even with your glasses
• Straight lines that look wavy (the National Eye Institute says to see your eye doctor right away for this)

Sudden changes are urgent

Some symptoms mean you need care the same day. Don't wait to see if they go away.

Signs of a retinal detachment

The National Eye Institute calls retinal detachment a medical emergency. Warning signs include:

• A sudden increase in floaters
• Flashes of light in one or both eyes
• A dark shadow or "curtain" over part of your vision

Signs of a sudden glaucoma attack

A less common type, called angle-closure glaucoma, can cause sudden symptoms. The National Eye Institute lists:

• Intense eye pain
• Upset stomach or nausea
• A red eye
• Blurry vision

If you have any of these urgent signs, go to your eye doctor or an emergency room right away. Fast treatment can help protect your vision.

When to talk to your eye doctor

You don't need to figure this out on your own. If something about your vision feels different, it's always fine to call your eye doctor and ask.

Before your visit, write down:

• What you've noticed and when it started
• Whether it affects one eye or both
• Any family history of eye disease
• The medicines you take

Sources

• 21 Ways Aging Changes Your Eyes, American Academy of Ophthalmology
• Presbyopia, National Eye Institute
• Cataracts, National Eye Institute
• Glaucoma, National Eye Institute
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration, National Eye Institute
• Retinal Detachment, National Eye Institute
• Get a Dilated Eye Exam, National Eye Institute
• What Are Floaters and Flashes?, American Academy of Ophthalmology