How Does Vision Change with Age?

Increased sensitivity to glare

Being able to see clearly when exposed to reflected light or bright sunlight - especially outdoors on a sunny day or in a hallway with highly polished floors - requires filtered lenses or other adaptations to control glare and to see the environment clearly

Increased lighting requirements

Most older adults require three to four times more light than they did previously to perform many everyday activities. Seeing clearly enough to read, write, sew, or perform home repairs usually requires a brighter, more focused light in addition to reading glasses or bifocals.

More time required to adjust to bright light and/or darkness

Adjusting to changes in light levels between bright and dark areas - such as leaving a dim building lobby and walking outside into bright sunlight or moving out of a restaurant with dim lighting into daylight - can take two to three times longer than it used to.

Reduced contrast sensitivity

In the photo at left, it is difficult to see the white lamp and white bedding against the white wall and white table. Seeing an object clearly against a background of the same color becomes more difficult and requires stronger contrast to make it stand out.

Decreased ability to judge depth perception

Difficulties judging distances accurately - the height of a step or curb, or the depth of a bathtub, for example - requires close attention to safety cues such as color, contrast, and lighting. Shadows and shadow patterns may be incorrectly interpreted as drop-offs or obstacles.

Decreased ability to focus close up

As the eye muscles that control the switching of focus from far to near begin to lose flexibility, it becomes more difficult to focus on things close up. Reading a newspaper, writing, or sewing usually require reading glasses to accommodate this change in focus.

Decreased color sensitivity

Telling certain colors apart becomes more difficult when matching clothing or playing card games. In particular, it is often difficult to distinguish navy blue from brown or black; blue from green or purple; and pink from yellow or pale green.

Why do bright lights bother me more as I get older?

Glare is often the primary problem, caused either by changes in the lens of the eye or by dry eyes. Sometimes tinted and anti-glare lenses can minimize this effect. The use of artificial tears and further treatment for dry eyes can be prescribed by your eye doctor.

Why do I have problems moving from light to dark areas?

This can be caused by changes in our photoreceptor cells, which are the rods and cones that are found in the retina. The rods are responsible for seeing in the dark, and the cones help us see in brighter light. As we grow older, these cells can take longer to adjust. At dusk, our eyes have difficulty determining which cells should be dominant. Aging can increase the time it takes for the eyes to make the adjustment.

Why do I see better on some days than on others?

All of us experience good days and bad days, in terms of our general health. However, if you experience any of the following vision changes, it's recommended that you contact your eye doctor immediately:

• Sudden hazy or blurred vision
• Recurrent pain in or around the eye
• Double vision
• Seeing flashes of light
• Seeing halos around lights
• Unusual, even painful, sensitivity to light or glare
• Changes in the color of the iris
• Sudden development of persistent floaters

At any age, it's important to have your eyes checked regularly. If symptoms or concerns arise, contact your eye care professional as soon as possible.