Lots of factors, from genetics to lifestyle, can cause eyesight to get worse, whether temporarily or permanently. And it’s normal for vision to worsen as you get older.
However, worsening vision can be a symptom of something that needs more immediate attention. The best thing to do if you notice your vision isn’t as clear as it used to be is to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist for an eye exam.
We’ll go over some common reasons for worsening eyesight.
Why Is My Vision Getting Worse? Eye Changes That Are Commonly Age-Related
Normal eye changes can make vision worse as we get older. Common age-related changes could cause vision problems that might be pesky but, for the most part, are treatable. In some cases, eyesight changes can indicate a more serious eye condition.
Note that some of the conditions below can impact you at any age—they’re simply more likely to appear as you age.
Presbyopia
Many adults find it increasingly difficult to see close-up as they progress through middle age (around age 40 to 60). They might need to hold reading material with an arm outstretched, for example, to see it clearly.
Most likely, this is a symptom of presbyopia, a common age-related change in your eye’s ability to focus. To help make close-up tasks clearer to see, your eye doctor might suggest reading glasses, progressives, or bifocals.
Normal Vision Changes
Worsening vision is often just a part of growing older. For instance, if you already have a prescription for refractive errors, like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism, it’s normal for you to need a stronger one each year or every few years. Plus, it’s possible for new refractive errors to develop anytime in adulthood.
Getting annual eye exams can help ensure you have the prescription you need to see clearly.
Dry Eyes
Our tear glands produce fewer tears as we get older. This can be particularly prevalent in women experiencing age-related hormonal changes. A reduction of tears can also cause dry eye syndrome, which may include the symptom of blurred vision.
Additionally, if you rack up a lot of screen time, you may be more prone to dry eyes as well as decreased blinking.
Increased Risk of Serious Eye Conditions
Middle-aged and older adults are at a higher risk for certain eye conditions that can cause deteriorating eyesight. Some of the more common age-related eye conditions are:
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens. Cataracts are most likely to develop in people over the age of 55. If prescription eyeglasses aren’t effective in clearing vision that’s weakened because you have a cataract, your eye doctor might suggest cataract surgery. Symptoms of cataracts include:
- Blurry or hazy vision
- Increased sensitivity to glare
- Problems with night vision
Glaucoma
People over 40 years of age are at increased risk of glaucoma, a problem that can cause damage to the optic nerve, and one of the leading causes of blindness. Although there is no cure for glaucoma, the progression can be slowed if the disease is detected early and prescribed treatment is followed. Symptoms of glaucoma can include:
- Blind spots
- Blurry vision
- Halos around lights
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that causes central vision loss. Though it rarely causes blindness, it is the most common cause of severe vision loss in people over 50 years of age. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the AMD and might include injections, laser therapy, or low-vision devices. Symptoms of AMD may include:
- Blind spots
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty recognizing faces, seeing close-up, or driving
- Wavy lines that should be straight
- Difficulty seeing in low light
Other Commonly Age-Related Vision Issues
Middle-aged and older adults might begin to notice these other common eye problems.
A Need for Brighter Light
As we get older, we often need more light to see. A brighter reading or task light can help.
Issues With Glare
The sun reflecting off surfaces can become more of an issue during the day. And glare at night, such as from headlights when driving, can make daily activities more challenging. Anti-glare glasses with an anti-reflective coating may help lessen the glare.
Difficulty Seeing Color Differences
Seeing the difference in colors that are similar to each other, like black and dark blue, may be a challenge. You might experience this difficulty differentiating subtle color differences due to the discoloration of the lens in your eye.
This can happen as an effect of aging. But it can also be a symptom of other eye conditions, for instance, due to cataracts. It’s worth noting, you can slow down the progression of cataracts with proper sun protection.
