How do my eyes change as I get older?

As with other parts of your body, your eyes go through normal changes as you age.

There are eye conditions that are more common in older age. But there are many things you can do to help maintain good vision as you age.

Remember that your vision affects your safety and that of the people around you. So, it's important to look after your eyes. This is especially true if you drive.

What are some of the eye conditions that can affect older people?

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a vision problem where you may notice it is more difficult to read things close up. You need to hold things further away to see them clearly. Almost all people will experience this after about age 40 years.

Presbyopia happens because the lenses at the front part of your eyes become less flexible as you age. This makes it more difficult to focus on nearby objects. Presbyopia is treated with reading glasses.

Cataracts

Cataracts affect the lenses in your eyes. The lens needs to be clear for you to have good vision. If a cataract develops, the lens becomes cloudy. If cataracts significantly affect your vision, they can be treated with surgery.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition that can damage to your optic nerve. The optic nerve connects your eyes with your brain to let you see. One in 10 people aged over 80 years has glaucoma.

People with glaucoma don't usually have any symptoms in the early stages. It's important to see your optometrist regularly to check if you have signs of the disease. This way, it can be treated to preserve your vision.

Macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that leads to a loss of central vision.

The macula is a small but important part of your retina. It helps with detailed vision needed for activities such as:

• reading
• driving
• recognising faces

AMD happens when the cells of the macula start to deteriorate. Early signs of AMD can affect 1 in 7 people aged over 50 years.

Several treatments may be able to slow down the progression of AMD. So, it's important to identify AMD early with regular eye checks.

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy affects many people with diabetes, especially those who have had diabetes for a long time.

Diabetes can affect the blood vessels at the back of your eye, leading to vision loss. You can reduce your risk of diabetic retinopathy by:

• maintaining good blood sugar control
• getting regular eye health checks
• maintaining a healthy blood pressure and healthy cholesterol levels

Dry eye

Dry eye can affect people of any age, but it is more common in people aged over 50 years. Dry eye happens when your tears do not provide enough lubrication for your eyes. This can lead to a range of symptoms, including eyes that are:

• itchy
• burning
• sore

There are many strategies you can use to reduce your symptoms, as well as medicines such as lubricating eye drops.

How can I prevent eye problems?

Many eye problems that are common in older people have few or no symptoms in their early stages. That means it's important to see your optometrist regularly to make sure your eyes stay healthy.

An optometrist is a health professional trained to assess the health of your eyes and help correct vision problems.

There are many other things you can do to reduce your chance of developing eye problems as you age.

You should maintain a healthy lifestyle by:

• doing regular physical activity
• avoiding smoking
• eating a balanced diet

Eating a balanced diet will ensure that your eyes get the nutrients they need to work properly.

You can protect your eyes by:

• taking regular breaks when looking at screens
• avoiding reading in dim light
• wearing sunglasses with polaroid lenses when outside
• wearing eye protection when working with chemicals, using power tools, playing sport or gardening

When should I see an optometrist?

If you experience sudden, severe eye pain and/or vision loss, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance or visit your nearest emergency department.

See an optometrist as soon as possible if you notice any changes in your vision. You may notice symptoms such as:

• spots or 'floaters' in your vision
• eye pain
• vision loss at the centre or edges of your vision
• blurred or double vision
• reduced colour vision
• increased sensitivity to glare
• dry eyes

Consider getting your eyes checked if you notice yourself tripping over objects or bumping into things.

Regular eye health checks

If you're over 60, it's important to see your optometrist regularly, even if you don't notice any changes in your vision. You should aim to have an eye health check every 1 to 2 years.

Many eye conditions are more common in older people and most conditions are easier to treat if they are found early, before they cause symptoms.

You don't need a referral from your doctor to see an optometrist.

Most optometrist visits are eligible for a Medicare rebate, but your optometrist may charge extra fees. It's a good idea to check with your optometrist about fees and charges when you book your appointment.

When should I consider a medical procedure?

Different eye conditions have different treatments. Some conditions, such as cataracts, are routinely treated with surgery when they start to affect your vision.

Other conditions can be managed with medicines or laser treatments.

Each treatment has its own benefits and risks. These will vary depending on your health and any other medical problems you have.

Your optometrist and specialist eye doctor (ophthalmologist) can give you information and advice about the benefits and risks of different treatments.

Use the healthdirect Australia question-builder tool to prepare for your appointment. Create a list of questions to ask your doctor. Print or email the list so that you can take it to your appointment. This will help you get more out of your time with your doctor and help you to remember everything you want to ask.

How do I choose the right glasses?

An optometrist can prescribe corrective lenses that are right for you. You may decide to use traditional glasses.

You can also ask your optometrist if contact lenses are suitable for you. People who live more active lifestyles may find contact lenses more convenient.

The type of lenses your optometrist will prescribe will depend on your eye conditions, such as whether you have:

• myopia (short-sightedness)
• hyperopia (long-sightedness)
• presbyopia (age-related long-sightedness)

If you need glasses for more than one eye condition, your optometrist may recommend multifocal lenses. These will help you see near and far without swapping glasses.

Each of these conditions can progress over time, meaning that your glasses prescription may change. See your optometrist every 1 to 2 years to ensure your glasses are still appropriate for you.

You can buy reading glasses over the counter from many pharmacies and shops. This can be convenient, but it's important to visit an optometrist who can check your eyes for any conditions, and make sure your glasses are right for you. For example, if one eye has better vision than the other, you may need different lenses for each eye.

Your optometrist can give you suitable contact lenses and advice about how to wear them safely. Contact lenses that do not fit your eyes well or are worn incorrectly can cause complications. It's important to follow your optometrist's instructions.

Resources and support

Vision Australia has information and support for people with low vision and their families. You can call them on 1300 84 7466.

Good Vision for Life provides information about eye health at all stages of life.

Services Australia has information on eye health costs that are covered by Medicare.

You can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.