Your Healthy Vision Timeline: Ages 60+

As you age, we want to help you see your best. This is the fourth post in our four-part series on age-specific eye health concerns.

This post focuses on your 60+ year-old eyes. As we all move toward becoming seasoned citizens, it’s very common for our eyesight to deteriorate. However, with healthy habits and close monitoring, we can take steps to protect and preserve our vision.

Be Aware Of The Changes In Your Vision

Many patients wonder about symptoms they should watch for as they age—indicators that there may be a problem. Here are some common ones:

• A flood of floaters and/or spots in your vision field
• Sudden eye pain accompanied by redness, nausea or vomiting
• Gradual vision loss, either peripheral or central
• Cloudy and/or blurred vision that causes halos around lights or a loss of bright colors

Many eye diseases progress gradually, without patients noticing that sight is inhibited until there’s a major problem. Whether or not you’re experiencing the symptoms listed above, it’s very important to keep yearly comprehensive exams that screen for glaucoma, cataracts, AMD, and diabetic retinopathy.

Driving At Night Is More Difficult

Natural eye changes can affect driving ability, changing your perception of speed and depth. A good practice is to arrange your schedule, if possible, to do all your driving during the day.

Less Acute Vision? Keep Your Home Safe

60-year-old eyes have different needs than 20-year-old eyes. It’s a fact of life. Make adjustments in your home as needed for your safety.

• Brighter lights and/or light-diffusing curtains and lampshades
• Label things like knobs on your stove and washing machine more clearly
• Minimize fall risk by checking the floor for uneven spots, and securing handrails

Here are some additional tips:

Healthy Habits Combat Vision Problems

One of the best ways to combat aging eyes is to maintain healthy vision habits including proper nutrition, exercise, managing systemic health issues and protecting your eyes from the sun.

Do You Care For Someone Older?

Are you 60+ years old? If so, we hope the content above is helpful. If you’re younger, perhaps you’re caring for an elderly parent or know someone who is doing so. Please pass this information along to extended family members, coworkers, neighbors and friends. They’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness!

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Top image by Flickr user jjlcooterpie used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.