How Can I Protect My Eyes as I Age?

Your eyesight may change with age, but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. From regular eye exams to smart lifestyle choices, here’s how to protect and even improve your vision

Adam Rosenbluth, M.D.,

AARP

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Published September 22, 2025

James Yates

Are there any ways I can keep my vision from getting worse?

Most of us need to adjust to our changing eyesight as we get older. For instance, I was wearing reading glasses to read a study in JAMA Ophthalmology that reported nearly 42 million folks on Medicare deal with vision issues. But I want to assure you this doesn’t mean you’re powerless to protect your sight. There’s quite a bit you can do to slow down or even prevent further decline.

To begin, let’s look at the most common vision issues.

If it’s challenging for you to see small print, like me, you probably haven’t escaped presbyopia. That’s another word for farsightedness, which usually begins in our 40s. Thank goodness for those reading glasses, right?

Cataracts are another common condition. They lead to blurred or dim vision as well as sensitivity to bright lights. Symptoms come on slowly but shouldn’t be ignored. In most cases, cataracts can be treated effectively with laser surgery.

One of the leading causes of vision loss is age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. There are two types: dry and wet. Dry AMD is more common.

Although AMD affects central vision, it won’t harm how you see peripherally. In most cases, medication and even some supplements can slow its progress.

Glaucoma is caused by increased pressure in the eye, which damages the optic nerve. But here’s the catch: There are usually no early symptoms. Unless you get regular eye checkups and the condition is diagnosed in a timely fashion and treated with eye drops or eye surgery, it can lead to blindness.

If you have diabetes, high blood sugar levels may damage the blood vessels in your retina, and over time you’ll likely develop significant vision loss. It’s another reason why it’s important to stay on top of your insulin levels.

Yes, aging and certain health conditions play a role in vision loss, but so does lifestyle. That’s good news, because it means there are steps you can take to preserve your eyesight, even improve it.

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The No. 1 step? Schedule regular eye exams. An eye specialist can spot early signs of disease before symptoms become noticeable. And, you don’t need to see an ophthalmologist. Eyeglass stores usually have optometrists who specialize in eye care (but are not MDs), and are often more available and less expensive. Both optometrists and ophthalmologists can sometimes detect health conditions other than vision problems.

The dynamite duo of diet and exercise matters, too. You want to eat plenty of leafy greens like kale and spinach, omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon and flaxseeds, as well as colorful fruits. These vitamin- and antioxidant-packed foods help reduce your risk of developing eye issues.

Regular exercise boosts circulation, which helps to keep the blood vessels in your eyes healthy and also aids in weight control. Being overweight leads to increased eye pressure and reduced blood flow. Along those lines, you also want to be sure your blood pressure is managed. High blood pressure can contribute to the development of glaucoma and other retinal diseases and reduce important blood flow to the optic nerve.

Certain medications, particularly decongestants, antihistamines, corticosteroids and some antidepressants, can damage vision over time. Be sure to mention all your medications to the eye specialist.

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Also, don’t forget to wear sunglasses, even on cloudy days. You want them to block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. What else? If you haven’t quit smoking yet, here’s another reason to do it: Smoking more than doubles your risk of developing eye problems.

Dry eyes contribute to inflammation, too, which makes us susceptible to eye infections and even vision loss. Drinking water throughout the day and using lubricants can reduce the problem.

Finally, taking breaks from your computer can help reduce your risk of eye strain and worsening vision loss. I follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away from the screen for 20 seconds.

While aging may change how we see the world, it doesn’t have to dim our view. Focus on being proactive and you’ll give your eyesight a good shot at staying sharp.

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