How Vision Changes During Life

Visual function changes throughout life just like any other system of the body. Your best possible vision, color vision, peripheral vision and many other aspects deteriorate in predictable and sometimes unpredictable ways.

Visual Acuity

Visual acuity or VA is what people refer to when they say they have 20/20 vision. It is the most basic way to describe the smallest objects they can discern. Normal individuals have vision that is 1 to 2 lines better than 20/20 when they are young. When you reach age 85, however, your best possible vision is 20/20. Many things can reduce this further such as Cataracts, Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration.

Color Perception

Your ability to see colors becomes less robust as you age. The lens of the eye absorbs UV light and gradually goes through changes and takes on a yellow color. One type of cataract involves a yellowing of the lens. Just because the lens is yellowing does not mean that you have a cataract necessarily. This yellow color acts as a filter for blue light. Blues will appear less vivid and your overall sensitivity to blue will decrease. Other conditions like macular degeneration and multiple sclerosis can change perception of blue.

Reading

Most people know that when you reach your 40's it gets harder to read and see things up close. This happens to everyone and is called presbyopia. Common complaints include: "my arms are too short", holding print farther away, headaches, and eye fatigue. This can be solved in many different ways. Bifocals, readers, glasses for near work, and contacts are all viable options.

Night Vision

I have heard plenty of older people say that they don't like driving at night. Our retinas need more light as we age. This is in part due to the fact that the pupil is less able to change shape, get bigger and let more light in. Add in the fact that cataracts will blur vision and prevent light from getting to the back of the eye and even less light will get in.

Moving Objects

Pathways of vision that are responsible for detecting movement become less sensitive over time. This is particularly noticeable after age 65. The most important way this changes is when you are focusing on an object ahead of you and moving objects off to the side aren't noticed. This has been implicated as a reason older drivers have more accidents.

You Only Get Two Eyes

You also only get one chance to take good care of your eyes. Wearing sun protections, take your vitamins and see an eye care professional regularly to make sure you have your best vision well into old age.