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Normal age-related vision changes

As you age, so do your eyes. Common changes in your vision as you age include:

• Reduced sensitivity to light. You might notice that you need brighter lighting near your favorite reading chair or at your workstation.
• Decreased visual acuity. Colors appear dim, and glare forms when light shines directly at you. This might cause you to avoid night driving.
• Difficulty reading small print. The lens in your eye becomes less elastic and loses its ability to focus — a condition called presbyopia. You might need reading glasses or a magnifying glass to read small print.

Besides these changes to your eyes, aging makes you more prone to developing eye diseases that could impair your vision.

1. Age page: Aging and your eyes. National Institute on Aging. http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/eyes.htm. Accessed Oct. 13, 2008.
2. Facts about cataracts. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp. Accessed Oct. 13, 2008.
3. Facts about glaucoma. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma/glaucoma_facts.asp. Accessed Oct. 13, 2008.
4. Facts about age-related macular degeneration. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts.asp. Accessed Oct. 13, 2008.