Ageing can affect your eyes – just like it affects the rest of your body. A few common changes include losing the ability to see clearly up close, having trouble distinguishing colours, and needing extra time to adjust to different levels of light.
As we age, the risk for developing some eye conditions and diseases increases, some of which are serious and can cause vision loss if untreated.
Regular eye exams with your optometrist, GP, or Ophthalmologist will ensure an earlier detection, broader treatment options and better long-term outcomes.
Learn about some common conditions of ageing eyes, signs and symptoms to look out for, and recommendations to look after your eye health.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Ageing Eyes
Trouble with reading fine print or focusing on close-up activities, like sewing, is much more common after the age of 40 as the ability of our natural lens to change focus decreases. Try a pair reading glasses to help you focus on near vision activities.
Older adults tend to produce less tears or poor-quality tears. Dry eye syndrome is a common and uncomfortable condition, and it is especially common among post-menopausal women. In addition to using lubricating drops regularly, there are many treatment regimens available depending on the cause of your dry eyes.
A common condition involving an inflammation of the eyelids where they become red and swollen, and there may be an itchy, crusty sensation or soreness along the eyelids. Your eyes may become watery as excessive, poor-quality tears are produced. Treatment is usually focused on eye massages, regular gentle cleaning, and artificial tear replacements. Read more about Blepharitis.
As we age, we may have more difficulty between distinguishing between some similarly coloured objects and backgrounds, such as milk in a white cup sitting on a white benchtop.
Our eyes may take longer to focus in low light or in bad weather conditions and experience more glare, particularly when driving at night. There are many causes to this symptom and a comprehensive eye examination will determine the most likely cause and formulate a management plan.
Certain eye conditions common with ageing can cause us to become increasingly sensitive to glare or bright light. Some tips to reduce discomfort is to dim the screen lighting on digital devices, dim lighting in your home, and wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors.
The vitreous, or jelly-like substance that fills the middle of the eye, can shrink as we age. When this happens, tiny clumps of gel can form, causing dark floaters like cobwebs or black spots in our vision. Flashes of light can occur when the vitreous jelly pulls on the retina, which is the essential light-sensitive and nerve tissue layer lining the back of the eye. Any sudden onset of new floaters, flashes or changes in vision should be discussed with your eye doctor promptly as this may indicate a more serious eye condition such as retinal detachment or retinal tears. Read more about retinal detachments and retinal tears.
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek urgent medical attention:
Sudden loss of vision or hazy/blurred vision
Double vision
Sudden increase or appearance of floaters (dark spots or cobwebs)
Flashes of light in vision
Dark curtain-like blotting out of part of vision
Loss of peripheral (side) vision
Eye pain and/or redness or swelling of the eye or eyelid
These symptoms can be warning signs of sight-threatening conditions.
Eye Specialist Institute provides access to ophthalmic care after-hours and on weekends for ocular emergencies.
Fees and charges are applicable as we are private practice and Medicare rebates are only available with a referral from your Optometrist or General Practitioner.
Significant Conditions of Ageing Eyes
A cataract is when the natural clear lens inside of our eye becomes stiff and cloudy with age and sun damage, making vision foggy and blurry. They are usually effectively treated with surgery, where the hazy lens is extracted through small incision surgery and replaced with a tiny artificial prescription lens called an IOL (intraocular lens). There are many different IOL options available depending on the unique shape of your eye and your lifestyle. Read more about cataract surgery.
Age-related macular degeneration is a common eye disease that usual affects adults over the age of 50. Symptoms can go unnoticed during early stages of the disease, but sudden or progressive loss of central vision can occur. Treatment options depend on the type of macular degeneration. There are two main types, dry macular degeneration and wet (neovascular) macular degeneration. For all types, dietary supplements and cessation of smoking are recommended. The wet type of AMD can respond to intravitreal injections, which work to stabilise leaking blood vessels in the macula and prevent irreversible vision loss. Early detection and intervention are crucial to ensure good long-term outcomes. Read more about macular degeneration and intravitreal injections.
People of all ages can be diagnosed with glaucoma, but the disease is most common among adults over 50. The disease can lead to blindness if not treated early as it irreversibly damages the optic nerve, which carries sensory information from the retina toward the visual centres in the brain. This damage leads to loss of peripheral vision. Since symptoms often go unnoticed, getting regular eye exams is the best measure to detect and manage this condition. Read more about glaucoma.
A leading cause of vision loss among all patients with diabetes, especially with an increased duration with diabetes and unstable blood sugar control. Blood vessels in the eye can become damaged by high blood sugar levels, leading to leakage of fluid or bleeding in the eye. This can cause a sudden or progress loss of vision. Regular eye examinations will detect these changes and there are various treatment options to help stabilise the disease and prevent further vision loss, along with a coordinated management of your diabetes with your GP, endocrinologist, and diabetes educator. Read more about diabetic retinopathy.
A blockage of major artery or vein on the retina, which can lead to sudden vision loss, usually with some recovery of vision. These conditions are usually linked to problems with underlying vascular (blood vessel) health, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking. These conditions are managed in close collaboration with a GP or neurologist. Read more about retinal vein occlusions and retinal artery occlusions.
As we age, we can experience changes in our coordination, vision, and reflexes, and can experience serious eye injuries as a result of seemingly small accidents. These can often happen at home or in the garden. Small changes around the house and to personal habits can help reduce the risk, including cushioning sharp corners of furniture, installing securing railings, and using slip-proof rugs and mats particularly in the bathroom, as well as using eye protection goggles when working with power tools. Small steps like these can all help you stay safe at home.
Many benign and malignant tumours can occur around and within the eye. The most common cancers are basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas arising from the eyelid and are directly related to sun damage and smoking. A comprehensive eye examination can detect the tumour and monitor any changes, as tumours may require prompt referral and management to prevent disfiguring and sight-threatening complications.
Tips to Care for Ageing Eyes
Eat a healthy and balanced diet with a variety of brightly coloured fruits and vegetables
- Practice good eye hygiene
- Wear a pair of good quality sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
- Stop smoking
- Find physical activities you enjoy and maintain a healthy weight
- Manage your blood pressure and diabetes (if you have it)
- Screen detox – regularly take time out away from your computer, iPad, tablet, or phone
- Take safeguards to reduce the risk of a trip or fall – it can happen to anyone
- Get regular dilated eye examinations for early diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions
- Be an advocate for your health – you can ask for a referral to see a specialist of your choice
- Don’t ignore changes in your vision – a sudden increase in floaters, flashes, or a dark curtain can all indicate a serious sight-threatening eye condition that needs urgent attention