Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey

Michigan's Leading Eye Care Physicians

Do Eyes Age? Understanding Natural Changes in Vision

When you think of aging, you probably envision gray hair and wrinkled skin. Our eyes also change as we get older. Most people report a gradual decline in vision. It’s important to note that if you experience a sudden change in eyesight, you should contact your Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey ophthalmologist right away. This is most likely not caused by natural aging and could indicate a problem or injury.

Vision Changes at Age 40

You may be surprised to learn that many people experience a change in their vision as early as age 40. During this period, it may become more difficult to look at objects that are close to you.

This is called presbyopia. It occurs due to a hardening of the lens within the eye. You can adjust by holding objects or reading material further away. There will eventually come a point where you will need glasses or contacts to compensate.

Vision Changes at Age 50

Presbyopia will continue to worsen as you enter your 50s. The change may happen a little quicker, which means that you will have to change your contact or glasses prescription more frequently. Some people find that a single prescription is no longer effective for general use and may need one for daily tasks and another for specific tasks like reading or using a computer.

Common Age-Related Eye Changes

Along with a decline in vision strength, many people also experience other age-related changes, including:

  • A need for more light to see properly
  • A change in color perception, making it harder to discern shades
  • Decreased tear production causing dryness and irritation
  • An increase in glare

If you have questions about eye aging, notice changes in your vision, or are due for your routine comprehensive eye exam, contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey Michigan’s Leading Eye Care Physicians to schedule an appointment today.

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What Happens to Your Eyes as You Age?

Eye Michigan Aging Eyes

We all know that as we age our bodies change drastically. Over time, our skin loses its elasticity, hearing begins to decline, hair greys and thins, organ function declines, bones and joints become brittle and stiff and many other physical elements change both externally and internally. It’s easy to see when a person is aging from the outside, but what about the changes we can’t necessarily see or feel, like those that take place in the eyes?

Unbeknownst to most people, our eyes actually begin a process of change fairly early on in adulthood. Similarly to other organs, the eyes tend to peak in function around age 30 before beginning a slow and gradual decline into old age. Physically, the lenses of the eyes tend to stiffen and become denser, making it more difficult to see in low light situations or focus like they used to. The muscles of the pupil react more slowly to changes in exposure, and the nerve cells of the eye deteriorate and decrease in number. The eye also tends to produce less fluid as a person ages, sometimes leading to irritation and dryness.

Generally, most people begin to notice these changes to their eyes as their vision becomes slightly less clear over time. Often, people find themselves requiring more light than usual, having more difficulty distinguishing colors, or struggling to read text close up (often leading them to reach for “readers”).

If you have noticed similar vision changes and suspect that you need special care for your aging eyes, it is important to enlist the help of a professional ophthalmologist. Your ophthalmologist will give your eyes a full examination and help you improve your vision to support long-term eye health. Contact Eye Michigan to make an appointment.

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