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Vision changes naturally occur with aging. But certain changes may signal a serious eye disorder, leading to vision loss if left untreated.
Some of these eye disorders may be prevented. Even hereditary eye disorders can often be slowed through early detection and treatment. That’s why regular eye exams are so important.
Low vision interferes with your functional abilities in daily life, and regular eyeglasses or contact lenses can’t help you. You simply don’t have enough vision to do what you need to do. Blindness refers to more severe impairment, although you may still have some useful vision.
Vision loss stems primarily from diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 million people in the United States are considered blind, and more than 3 million have visual impairment (low vision).
Learn about these age-related eye disorders and talk to your health care provider if you notice symptoms:
- Presbyopia — With this common age-related problem, the lens within the eye gradually loses its elasticity and its ability to change shape. As a result, it becomes more difficult to focus on close up objects without the help of corrective lenses, such as reading glasses.
- Macular degeneration — Over time, the macula — the part of the retina responsible for central vision — can deteriorate. Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans age 60 and older. But potential future treatment may reduce the number of people affected by macular degeneration. Also, evidence suggests that the development of macular degeneration can be delayed. Taking a combination of antioxidant vitamins has been shown to reduce the risk of an intermediate stage of macular degeneration progressing to a more advanced stage. Medications injected directly into the eye also are effective at preserving central vision in individuals with the wet form of the disease.
- Glaucoma — Glaucoma is associated with increased pressure inside the eye. When undetected, the condition can rob you of vision — starting with your peripheral vision and eventually leading to blindness. If glaucoma is diagnosed early, damage to the eye often can be prevented or slowed, particularly with the use of eye drops that help reduce and control internal pressure within the eye. Laser treatment and surgery are dependable options for treating more-advanced stages of the disease.
- Cataracts — A cataract develops from the clouding of your normally clear lens. It’s the leading cause of vision loss in the world. With age, almost everyone experiences cataracts to some degree. In the United States, approximately half of all Americans have cataracts by age 75, and more than 1 million cataract surgeries are performed each year. Surgery to remove the cataract and replace it with an artificial lens is a common procedure with generally excellent outcomes.
- Eyelid problems — Age-related changes in the tissue or muscle of an eyelid may cause an eyelid problem. Sometimes, the problem progresses to the point where it begins to irritate the eye or impair vision. Surgery may be necessary to correct the problem.
- Dry eyes — Tears are essential for lubricating your eyes. Unfortunately, tear production and the quality of tear fluid decrease with aging, often causing stinging, burning and scratchiness in the eyes. Talking to your health care provider can help you find ways to minimize these symptoms.
Join conversations about vision-related topics by heading over to the Eye Conditions group.
Uncover more about common eye issues and tips on how to protect your eyes with a copy of Mayo Clinic Guide to Better Vision.
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I have severe glaucoma and want all seniors to make sure that they get checked before their vision chnages. My opthmalogist tested me at at the beginnig I had no visions that I could detect. Glaucoma is a silent disease, you are not aware when it begins.
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6 ReactionsThere is also sometimes a laser surgery for glaucoma now. Mine showed up as a result of high doses of prednisone. It's a miracle it was caught in time. I know that for some with open angle glaucoma (there are differing kinds) the surgery is an option. My insurance covered it, and it was "cured" for about 5 years. The even better part is that it can be done again, and again, if needed. Right now, first, eye doctors have to establish if it's getting worse, and what damages it may have done. Those tests take a bit of time and visits. There is hope.
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4 ReactionsMy optic nerve was too thin for laser surgery, both my eyes progressed a great deal even with hve six different drops and I was allergic to tje preservative that used in a method to treat it so I was referred to a glaucoma specialist. A stent was put in my right eye and next Monday, I will get one for the left eyet. The pressures is much better now. I am on Medicate and have a secondary helath insurance from work that I retired from. They covered 100% together.
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2 ReactionsI think that is wonderful that they had another surgical option, with stents. And that the first one was done satisfactorily, already. I'll remember that. God only knows if I'll end up having to go with that option someday, too. Also, that your ins ended up covering it 100%. As far as the question about vision changes signaling eye problems. In many cases, yes. But not all. For instance, I've had floaters since I was maybe 13, and so far, since I got used to them early I only think about them when the eye doctors office asks me if I have any. But many other vision changes did mean I needed medical help for them. I began going nearsighted at age 7 and it's progressed now to where I'd be wearing those "coke bottom bottle" lens if high index ultra thin prescription lens hadn't been invented. I began seeing double and it's a cranial nerve that was damaged sometime since birth. They can put invisible prisms in glasses lenses to correct it, and later do a surgery too. That's really wonderul how your glaucoma is being taken care of without financial harm to you.
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5 ReactionsIt can always go back to getting worse but I am having a vacation from eye drops except for dry eyes for my right eye. I must say that you beat me on the floaters. I didn't know what they were in college and went to the optometry school. They told me that for a 20 year old you have eyes of an 80 year old! I did not ask for glasses until the 4th grade. Had cataracts, have you had them yet? I was estatic for one whole month! When they removed them, they put in a permanent lens to bring my eyes up to normal. I remember looking colors with new eyes, before everything was a yucky baby poo colot. After the month was over, back to becoming more nearsughted. With glaucoma, you see with blurriness and have more blind spots.
I had a friend at work who had visible prism in his eyeglasses, I drove him to work, now my eyes are too bad for driving but I can read!! Not tiny print but if I can find it big enough print. My friend's wife told me that he went blind and had to go on disability. He used to be able to write to me and not any more.
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1 Reactionyes, I have cataracts now. Have had since 20014, that we know of. Luckily, they have not been in my field of vision until lately. I live in Seattle with lots of public transportation and I live with my daughter, she helps for the very few times I need a ride elsewise. It keeps me "independent." I've been told the glaucoma needs to be solved/repaired before they can take the cataracts out. Also, my second ins company waits until it is progressed to a certain point. What's this about "everything was yucky baby poo color" a month after your cataracts came out? And you lost vision, again, too? What was the reason for that? Hey, if you have glaucoma and its giving you new blurriness and blind spots then it's not being treated well enough. Find you a new Opthamologist. Skip caring about their feelings, it's your eyes! Thank God you can still read. Really. I am glad you still have that. If your friend had such serious prisms, something else was going on. When is his surgery to correct such bad double vision? I fight for my care. He should too. Like why? Prisms that show need an explanation.
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1 ReactionI had the cataracts before glaucoma started. We were moving from California to Texas (worst idea ever) asnd my eyes were bad but got worse we drove, the colors became different shades of baby poo! I was scared, went to an opthmalogist and he said the cataracts need to come right now! After the operations, I had beautiful color again. Then he was not sure if I had glaucoma or not. I did not like the uncertianty. Changed opthmalogists, the new one told me I definitely had glaucoma and that he probably was not making the mathematical adjustments needed by my thin optic nerve (I think that is what she said).
All he told me about the prisms was that he was told that his had a very bad prognosis. He was extremely grateful for the prisms. That was a few years before he got a tranfer to Seattle! We penpaled a while and he wrote me that they wanted to buy a house where they could afford it and were moving more east in the state. He went blind, they moved and he went on disability and his wife got a job in a big furniture store. The letters stopped, he could not write me anymore. I wonder if he could have had Retinitis Pigmentosa?
My dad had glaucoma. I just joined Mayo Clinic Connect. I'll schedule an eye exam tomorrow. I am 68 and have cataracts too. It's not fun getting older.
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2 ReactionsI know how you feel. I’m 73
and have arthritis in both knees and have a back condition that requires physical therapy. I had an epidural all around my spine almost two years a go.
I was also told that I have a cataract coming in on my right eye
It is no fun getting older, so
we need to try and gently
move our bodies and feed our minds .
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1 ReactionMy right cataract is stable. My left is progressing. I have never worn reading glasses and I'm 68. Cataract surgery is inexpensive with insurance. I was quoted $1700 total inc anesthesia. My landlord paid $9,000 with no insurance. He was legally blind for 2 years! Progression varies by individual. I'm doing my surgery before the end of the year.
I also have macular degeneration but it's mild.
Anyhoo keep the faith up. Best wishes in your health struggles.