What’s Normal? Some age-related vision changes are completely normal.

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.

You may barely notice the changes at first. Maybe you’ve found yourself reaching more often for your glasses to see up close. You might have trouble adjusting to glaring lights or reading when the light is dim. You may even have put on blue socks thinking they were black. These are some of the normal changes to your eyes and vision as you age.

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.”

Even a slight deterioration of any of your senses can be scary. Not only can it interfere with your safety and your ability to understand your surroundings, but also it can have a huge impact on your overall comfort, independence and quality of life.

You can minimize the impact of age-related vision loss on daily life, boost eye health in general, and reduce disease risk by monitoring vision changes, identifying problems, creating an eye-friendly environment, and adjusting your lifestyle habits and dietary choices.