SEVEN THINGS THAT HAPPEN TO OUR EYES AS WE AGE
October 18, 2020
We all know the joke about “arms getting shorter” as we get older. Why does this happen, and what other things can we expect with the passing of time?
Starting about mid-40’s, we start to have more trouble with tasks like reading. This is due to a loss of flexibility of the lens, a process which continues, gradually, until about our early ‘60’s.
Here are 6 other ways our eyes change as we age:
- Change in colour perception. The colour-sensitive cells in the back of our eyes slowly lose function over time. This causes us to perceive colours less vividly and brightly.
- Increasing trouble with changing light levels. Due to age-related processes on the retina (light sensitive layer at the back of our eyes) our vision will have more trouble adapting when coming indoors from a bright outdoor environment, or as the sun sets at dusk.
- Dryness of the eyes. Several different processes occur to change our eye’s ability to produce (and keep) a normal level of tears on the front of our eyes, leading to symptoms of dry eye disease – burning, itching, grittiness/scratchiness, and even excessive watering and blurring of vision.
- Need more light… Changes in our eyes such as decreasing pupil size cause us to require more light to see well. This means we may need to crank up the screen brightness on our computers, go to the next brightest notch on our desk lamp and/or wait until daylight hours to do our reading.
- …But not too much! Usually due to changes to the lenses in our eyes, increased glare intolerance is very common in older individuals. This can make tasks such as night driving challenging as we go from too bright (oncoming headlights) to not bright enough.
- Eye disease. The risk of vision loss from eye disease increases as we age. Cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration are 3 of the most common conditions putting us at risk. Many eye diseases cause no symptoms in their early stages and can only be detected during an annual eye health assessment by a qualified practitioner.
If this all sounds a bit depressing, take heart that advances in technology and increased public awareness about the importance of routine eye health checkups give us many options to deal with these challenges. Our ability to prevent vision loss and improve quality of life through proactively treating these conditions has never been greater.
- Dr. Tom Wilk
Discover Maui Jim sunglasses at Mountain View Optometry, featuring PolarizedPlus2® lens technology for superior glare protection, enhanced colors, and UV defense. Experience unmatched clarity and eye comfort with premium polarized lenses.
Maui Jim Sunglasses Spring-Summer 2025
Thierry Lasry Eyewear Calgary - 2024 Campaign
Thierry Lasry Eyewear Calgary - 2023 Campaign
As a locally owned business, we deeply appreciate your support. Recent events have prompted us to reflect on how many other Canadian companies are also supported when you visit us for eye care services. This month, we are proud to highlight one of our key “Made in Canada” suppliers – ZEISS Vision. Specializing in precision optics, ZEISS spectacle lenses are designed to improve vision in several ways, including sharper vision at night, better contrast, and more natural colours. When you order a set of new ZEISS lenses from MVO, you support a Canadian company employing 250 dedicated staff who work hard to custom build the glasses you will be wearing for (on average) the next two to three years! Thank you for your commitment to keeping your business in Canada!
Visual snow syndrome (VSS) is a condition that causes people to see visual disturbances similar to static on a television. This "visual snow" can be persistent and is often accompanied by other symptoms that can affect daily life. As more people learn about visual snow syndrome, it becomes essential to understand its symptoms, potential causes, and how to manage it.
Discover how sleep disorders, including sleep apnea and insomnia, can affect eye health and learn actionable tips from MVO experts to safeguard your vision.
Explore Res Rei Eyewear's Gentlemen Collection, designed for the modern man. Featuring refined shapes, intricate details, and Speakeasy-inspired accents, these frames embody contemporary luxury.
Discover Res Rei Eyewear's Essences Collection, inspired by the art of perfumery. These frames blend transparency and vibrant hues, creating a perfect balance of color and light.
Discover Res Rei Eyewear's Sculptures Collection, featuring bold three-dimensional designs that showcase the layered beauty of premium acetate through an intricate manufacturing process.