60's +

You’re seeing some changes in your vision now.  It may be harder to see in the dark, and you may see glare from shiny roads or sun hitting the pavement.  You may be reluctant to drive after dark because the headlights from other cars reflect in your eyes, causing momentary blindness.  These things happen because the lens of your eye gets cloudier as you get older. 

Colors may appear dimmer and less intense than they used to be, and some shades that are closely related—like blue and green—may be hard to differentiate. Sometimes red looks like orange, because your lens becomes more yellowed as it clouds.

Presbyopia—the inability to focus at any distance—will stabilize by the time you reach 65 years old, so your prescription for vision correction probably won’t change after that. 

In the years after you turn 60, many common eye diseases and conditions can appear that can change your vision permanently.  The earlier your doctor finds these potential problems, the better you will see for the rest of your life—so be sure to see your eye doctor at least once a year.  Skipping those important eye exams can allow an undetected eye condition to grow worse … even lead to blindness. 

You may not realize that health issues in other parts of your body can affect your vision as well.  In particular, diabetes and high blood pressure can lead to vision problems, especially if these conditions continue without treatment. The more your eye care professional knows about your health history, the better protected you will be against potentially debilitating vision loss.  Our handy form allows you to organize information your doctor needs.  Fill it out and bring it with you.