As we age, our eyes undergo significant changes that can affect vision. Being proactive about eye health is essential for detecting and managing age-related conditions early. Below are some of the most common age-related vision problems and how to identify them:

Common Age-Related Vision Problems

1. Cataracts

A cataract is the clouding of the clear lens in the eye and can be in one or both eyes. It can occur due to aging but can also affect younger people and babies can be born with cataracts. It is one of the most common eye conditions impacting older Australians.

Signs of Cataracts: Cloudy or blurry vision, sensitivity to glare or bright lights, and difficulty seeing at night.

2. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a family of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve and leads to the gradual loss of sight. It is estimated that 300,000 Australians have glaucoma, but over 50% have not been diagnosed¹.

Signs of Glaucoma: Gradual loss of peripheral vision (key indicator), blurred vision, difficulty adjusting to low light and night blindness, and increased sensitivity to light and glare.

3. Age-related Macular Degeneration:

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative eye condition caused by changes at the back of the eye (retina). It affects 1 in 7 Australians over 50 years old and is the leading cause of vision loss in Australians in this age group².

Signs of Macular Degeneration: Gradual or sudden decline in seeing objects clearly, blurred or distorted central vision, dimming of colour vision, and difficulty reading that is not improved with new glasses.

4. Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a common condition in which the lens inside the eye loses flexibility, making it difficult to focus on near objects. It usually becomes noticeable between the ages of 40 and 50.

Signs of Presbyopia: Difficulty focusing on close objects, such as reading text and needing to move objects at arm’s length to see them clearly.

Protecting Your Vision as You Age

To maintain healthy vision and prevent or slow down age-related vision problems:

• Schedule regular eye exams: Regular check-ups can help detect problems early and ensure proper treatment and intervention is provided. Optometry Australia recommends individuals to have their eyes tested every one to two years to maintain good vision for life³.
• Understand your family’s eye health history: Understanding your family’s eye health history can help your optometrist or ophthalmologist determine a pattern of common disorders and advise you on lifestyle changes or actions that you can take to prevent or delay the onset of generic medical disorders.
• Protect your eyes from UV light: Protect your eyes from harmful UV rays when outdoors with UV-protected sunglasses and glasses.
• Incorporate a vision-friendly diet: Foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, and omega-3 fatty acids (leafy green vegetables, nuts and fish) can help maintain eye health.
• Prevent digital eye strain: Incorporate breaks into your routine to rest your eyes and prevent eye strain during extended screen use. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds to reduce eye strain.

Eye Philosophy’s Commitment to Eye Health

At Eye Philosophy, we are committed to helping our community by educating patients about age-related vision conditions and ensuring timely detection, management, and treatment. With expert optometrists and partnerships with ophthalmologists, we believe prevention is better than cure. With our bulk-billed comprehensive eye exams, we ensure everyone in our community receives the care they need, when they need it.

Book a bulk-billed eye exam today!

¹ Glaucoma Australia, 2024 Glaucoma Australia Urges Greater Adherence to Eye Checks and Treatment 

² Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, 2022 Preventing age-related vision loss 

³ Optometry Australia, 2022 Vision Index