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Top 10 Age-Related Eye Problems

Early detection can keep you seeing clearly

by Barbara Stepko, AARP, September 2, 2020

doctor tests patient's vision at an eye exam

Andresr/Getty Images

En español | Eye issues are a common, even inevitable, part of the aging process. Some conditions are merely annoying, while others are diseases that can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated. The key? Early detection. Make time for regular eye exams and look out for these 10 age-related eye problems.

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PHOTO BY: Indiapicture / Alamy Stock Photo

Dry Eye

After the age of 40, our tear production tends to decline. As a result, most people over the age of 65 experience some symptoms of dry eye, which can cause a stinging or burning sensation or gritty feeling in your eyes. Sometimes, ironically, it causes watery eyes (the dryness prompts glands to produce more tears). Over-the-counter eye drops can be helpful for mild dry eye; if symptoms are more serious, you may want to consult an ophthalmologist for treatment.
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Floaters

Those tiny specks, strings and squiggles are usually harmless, caused by normal age-related changes in the vitreous, a gel-like fluid that fills the back of our eyes. If floater changes are minor or gradual, there is less cause for concern. But if you notice an increase in the number of floaters — or a sudden onset — see your eye doctor pronto. It could be a warning sign of something more serious, such as a detached retina.
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Glaucoma

One of the leading causes of blindness in people over 60, glaucoma usually is the result of fluid not draining properly, leading to a build-up of pressure that can damage the optic nerve. Painless and stealthy (it's sometimes referred to as the “silent thief of sight"), it often affects both eyes — though usually not at the same time — and can cause a significant loss of peripheral vision and, with no intervention, total blindness. Regular eye exams are critical, since blindness can be prevented with early treatment.
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Macular Degeneration

Another leading cause of vision loss, macular degeneration affects more than 10 million Americans. This disease damages the macula, at the center of the retina, responsible for our straight-ahead vision and most of our color vision; as the disease progresses, it can cause blurred or wavy vision and eventually central vision loss. There is no known cure, but there are ways to lower your risk and, possibly, slow down the disease's progression, including, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, not smoking, and protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays.
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Cataracts

The result of proteins in the lens beginning to break down as we age, cataracts can cause blurred or cloudy vision. You're at higher risk if you are white (by age 80, 70 percent of whites have cataracts, compared to 53 percent of Blacks, according to the National Institutes of Health); have diabetes; spent lots of time in the sun over the years; or use certain medications, such as corticosteroids. When it interferes with everyday activities, your eye doctor may recommend surgery, trading the clouded lens for an artificial one.
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Diabetic retinopathy

A condition found in those with type 1 or 2 diabetes, diabetic retinopathy occurs when excess glucose damages the blood vessels in the retina. These damaged blood vessels can swell and leak blood and other fluids into the retina, causing cloudy vision, and sometimes floaters or blurriness. Over time, symptoms increase in severity and you may experience dark spots or empty areas in your vision, or even vision loss. Keeping your diabetes under control is the best way to preserve your sight.
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PHOTO BY: Juice Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Detached retina

This condition occurs when the retina separates from its underlying support at the back of the eye. As we get older, the vitreous (the gel-like fluid in the center of our eye) undergoes a change in texture and shrinks; sometimes this leads to the retina becoming detached. It isn't painful, but the longer retinal detachment goes untreated, the greater your risk of permanent vision loss in the eye. If you notice warning signs — the sudden appearance of many floaters and flashes, diminished vision, or the sensation of a shadowy curtain lowered over your eyes — contact an ophthalmologist right away.
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Trichiasis

Trichiasis is a common condition associated with aging, where, because the eyelid skin loses elasticity, the eyelashes grow inward, toward the eye. The lashes can rub against the cornea or the conjunctiva (the thin inner surface of the lids), leading to irritation, such as redness and tearing, and light sensitivity or corneal abrasion. Trichiasis can also develop because of an eye infection or a trauma to the eye. Treatment includes manually removing pesky lashes using a forceps-like device, an in-office procedure.
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Eyestrain

When your eyes get fatigued from overuse, they can feel dry, itchy, achy and tired — they may also sting. Driving long distances, dry eyes, uncorrected vision and struggling to see in dim light can be culprits, but perhaps the most common cause of eyestrain is an extended use of digital devices. Discomfort usually eases once you rest your eyes. Blinking more often, following the 20-20-20 rule (for every 20 minutes spent looking at a screen, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds) or using lubricating eye drops can also help.
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PHOTO BY: Getty Images

Blepharitis

This strange-sounding name is actually a very common condition, where the rims of the eyelids become inflamed. Blepharitis is believed to be associated with bacteria on the eyelid or dandruff, and more common among people with certain skin conditions, such as seborrhoeic dermatitis and rosacea. Symptoms can include swelling, redness, burning, soreness, stinging in the eyes, crusty lashes and itchy lids. In many cases, it can be kept under control with daily washing near the lash line or addressing the underlying skin condition.