How Does Vision Change with Age?

Just as the body changes with age, our eyes undergo changes, too. Some of these vision changes can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery; some, however, cannot. Many of these changes are normal, and are not caused by disease or illness. They can, however, cause problems by interfering with a wide range of everyday activities.

Vision Changes in the Aging Eye

The most common age-related vision changes and their effects on everyday activities can include the following:

glare

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

lighting requirement

Increased lighting requirements

Most older adults require three to four times more light than they did previously to perform certain types of 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.

light adjustment

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 dimly lit restaurant into daylight — can take two to three times longer than it used to.

no contrast illustration

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.

depth perception

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.

focus problem

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.

color discrimination

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 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?

poor lighting in dark area 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 vision changes that are new, unusual, or cause pain, contact your eye doctor immediately. It's always better to be safe than sorry later on.