How Do Our Eyes Age? | Healthy Aging Month

Growing older usually brings some physical and possibly life changes. Certain vision changes are also normal as we age, but not all changes are inevitable.

September is Healthy Aging Month. It is a good reminder that we play a role in our aging process and how healthy we stay. Keep reading below to learn more about how our eyes change as we get older and what we can do to maintain healthy eyes. 
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Normal eye changes as we age

Certain changes take place within the eyes as we age. The rate at which the changes develop may vary. A person’s age and lifestyle factors play a role in age-related changes, including to the eyes.

One thing that occurs is the muscles that help our pupils to react to light become a little weaker. This makes the pupil less responsive to changes in lighting. Because of the changes, as we move into our 60s and beyond, we usually need more light for reading than we did in our 20s and 30s.

Another change is that the gel-like material inside the eye starts to pull away from the retina, which causes floaters. The floaters are usually not harmful, and vision is not affected.

The lens in the eye also changes as you get older. It usually hardens and becomes less flexible. This change makes it harder to focus on close up images. 
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Common eye problems that may occur

Some eye problems are common as you get older. In other cases, aging increases your risk of certain conditions, but this does not mean you will develop an eye disease as you age.

Eye problems as we age may include:   

Presbyopia: Presbyopia is a common change in vision as we age that is considered normal. It develops because the lens in the eye becomes more rigid. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, it often starts after age 40 and may progress over time. It is often treated with reading glasses.

Trouble seeing at night: As we age, it can take longer for our eyes to adjust to the dark, which can impair night vision. It is thought that the rod cells in the eyes may weaken as we get older. The consequence may be more difficulty driving at night.

Dry eyes: For reasons that are not entirely clear, we tend to produce fewer tears when we get older. For women, it may be associated with a decrease in estrogen.

Eye conditions, such as glaucoma: Certain eye conditions are more likely to develop as we get older. For example, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, glaucoma is one of the main causes of vision loss in adults over age 60. Glaucoma is a condition that involves damage to the optic nerve often due to increased eye pressure. 

Cataracts: Cataracts are also much more common as we age. Cataracts involve a clouding of the lens in the eye.  The clouding causes blurry vision, trouble seeing at night and seeing a halo around lights. If left untreated, cataracts can lead to vision loss. There are different types of cataracts. According to the National Eye Institute, age-related cataracts are the most common type. In fact, about half of adults over age 80 have cataracts or have had cataract surgery. 
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Ways to maintain eye health as we age

The lifestyle choices you make every day may affect your overall well-being, including your eyes. There are several things you can do to maintain healthy eyes as you get older, including:

• Get regular eye exams
• Wear sunglasses
• Put sunscreen on your eyelids and around the eyes
• Don’t smoke
• Get regular exercise
• Eat a well-balanced diet

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Keeping the skin around the eyes healthy 

Not only can aging have effects on vision and the eye, but it can also cause changes in the skin around the eyes and the eyelids. The skin around the eyes thins, which makes blood vessels show easier, leading to dark circles. The skin also loses its elasticity so wrinkles and lines may develop.

Consider the following steps to decrease lines and wrinkles around the eyes:

• Wear sunglasses
• Apply sunscreen every day
• Avoid smoking
• Get enough sleep
• Treat allergies
• Use a cool compress to decrease puffiness
• Apply skincare, such as a product containing retinol 
• Sleep with your head slightly elevated to decrease puffiness
• Drink plenty of water to stay well-hydrated from the inside
• Choose a good moisturizer to lock hydration into the skin. Look for ingredients, such as shea butter and hyaluronic acid.

We hope the information above is helpful to keep your eyes healthy throughout your life. If you would like to discuss whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, please phone our office at 508-746-8600.