Normal Age-Related Vision Changes

Not all declines in vision quality are the result of disease; certain anatomical changes naturally occur as the eyes age. The various internal and external structures of the eyes, which all work together to help people see clearly at various distances and under different lighting conditions, begin to wear down as people get older.

Common age-related vision complaints include:

“I can’t see as clearly as I used to.”

“I have difficulty seeing objects close up.”

“Colors don’t seem as vivid.”

“It’s getting more difficult to see in the dark.”

“I’m less able to adapt to glare.”

“I need more light to see.”

The most significant age-related changes seem to occur in the lens and the pupil; these account for the majority of vision limitations people experience as they get older. The extent to which these changes affect vision varies a bit with each person. But regardless of the degree to which these changes affect you, you can compensate for them and help ensure they don’t endanger your safety or make it difficult for you to enjoy life. The solution may be as simple as using brighter lights around the house to help prevent accidents caused by weak eyesight or seeing your doctor more frequently to screen for age-related diseases.