Aging and Your EyesAging and Your EyesWhat vision changes are normal with age?

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Needingglassestoseeupclose.Havingtroubleadjustingtoglare.Havingdifficultytellingapartsomecolors.Needingmorelighttoseewell.

Are vision loss and blindness a normal part of aging?

No!Butasyouage,youareathigherriskfordevelopingage-relatedeyediseasesandconditions:

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Damagetothemaculaoftheeye.

Cataract

Cloudingofthelensoftheeye.

Diabetic retinopathy

Damagetobloodvesselsintheretina.

Glaucoma

Damagetotheopticnerve.

Dry eye

Eyesdonotmakeenoughtears.

Low vision

Difficultyseeing,evenwithglasses,medicine,orsurgery.

Are there warning signs?

Manyeyediseaseshavenoearlywarningsignsbutcanbedetectedthroughacomprehensivedilatedeyeexam.

RAY OF LIGHT

PUPIL

RETINA

OPTIC NERVE

RAY OF LIGHT

PUPIL

RETINA

OPTIC NERVE

Portion of retina that can be seenthroughundilated pupil.

Portion of retina that can be seenthroughdilated pupil.

UNDILATED PUPIL DILATED PUPIL

What can I do to protect my sight?

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Haveregulardilatedeyeexams.Knowyourfamily’seyehealthhistory.Bephysicallyactive.Eatadietrichinfishandgreenleafyveggies.Controlyourdiabetesifyouhaveit.Stopsmoking.Wearsunglassesandabrimmedhatoutside.Wearprotectiveeyewearwhenworkingaroundyourhouseorplayingsports.

What if I’ve already lost vision?

Helpisavailable.Talkwithyoureyecareprofessionalaboutvisionrehabilitation.

Where can I learn more about vision and aging?

Visitwww.nei.nih.gov/agingeye

Source:NationalEyeInstitute,2013