Common Eye Conditions In Seniors

Published on 01/14/2025
common eye conditions in seniors

Age-related vision changes are almost unavoidable. However, some of the most common eye conditions can be prevented - or their side effects significantly reduced - by making healthy lifestyle choices, avoiding and managing certain health conditions, and early detection during routine and annual eye exams.

9 Age-Related Eye Conditions In Seniors & Their Symptoms

Certain types of vision loss, such as farsightedness from age-related lens hardening, are a normal part of the eye’s aging process

So, while the following nine common eye conditions in seniors aren't always avoidable, your lifestyle choices and routine visits to your optometrist play key roles in preventing their onset or catching them early to stop unnecessary, progressive vision loss.

Diabetic retinopathy

This leading cause of senior vision loss is a side effect of type 2 diabetes. So, by avoiding the onset of type 2 diabetes, which is primarily linked to diet and exercise habits, you can go a long way toward ensuring you never develop diabetic retinopathy.

If you don't have diabetes, speak with your doctor about how to avoid it. Typically, this involves eating a Mediterranean-style diet and getting moderate exercise multiple times a week. The combination of eating well, exercising, and managing your weight can mean never getting diabetes at all.

If you have type 2 diabetes, your optometrist can work with your primary health care provider to support your diabetes management plan to prevent the onset of diabetic retinopathy or to slow down its progression to minimize total vision loss.

Age-related macular degeneration

Macular degeneration occurs in two forms: wet and dry. The most common type Is dry age-related macular degeneration, which affects roughly 90% of adults 65 and over. It is a leading cause of vision loss in the senior population. 

With macular degeneration, patients typically lose their Vision in the center, so that it is as if a dark circle is at the center of the vision and they can only see the peripheral. Treatment is essential to prevent legal blindness if possible.

Glaucoma

While younger adults can be diagnosed with glaucoma, It is more common in adults 40 years and older. It's caused by excess pressure in the eye's interior due to aqueous fluid. This excess pressure compromises the optic nerve, leading to permanent vision loss without early and adequate treatment.

Dry eye

While dry eye still makes the list of common eye conditions for seniors, it's also becoming increasingly common in younger adults due to our increased screen time. The condition gets its name because the eye's surface is drier than it should be due to lower normal production of natural eye lubricants. 

People with dry eyes can feel that the surface of their eye is dry, but they may also experience things like redder eyes, itchy or gritty eyes, and excessive tearing. In early and less severe cases, using eye drops throughout the day may be enough to prevent more serious symptoms. Otherwise, your optometrist may prescribe prescription drops, ointments, or special topical eye therapy to provide relief.

Astigmatism

Typically, the eye is a spherical shape that allows optimal vision. Sometimes, people are born with or develop more oblong-shaped eyes, like a football, which leads to decreased visual acuity. This condition is called astigmatism. Unlike some of the conditions listed above and below, lifestyle does not impact whether or not you have an astigmatism diagnosis.

While astigmatism is one of the most common causes of reduced visual acuity in people of all ages, it tends to progress the older we get. You may find that your astigmatism worsens as you age, leading to increased lens prescriptions.

Floaters or flashes of light

Sometimes, people begin to notice floaters or flashes of lights. Floaters can look like blobs or squiggles passing through the visual field. Flashes of light can look like sparkles or a camera flash.

This can happen at any age but is more typical as we age. Floaters and flashes can be symptoms of an ocular migraine, which can be atypical in that ocular migraines aren't always associated with a headache. In most cases, experiencing floaters or flashes means nothing at all. However, we always recommend scheduling an appointment with an optometrist if you're experiencing a new or unusual frequency of floaters or eye flashes to rule out potential problems.

Cataracts

A cataract is a cloudy area in the eye’s lens that can lead to vision loss. Over time the lens will become more cloudy which can lead to greater vision loss. In most cases, healthy patients can have cataract surgery to remove the lens, which can reverse most vision loss.

Genetic tendencies toward developing cataracts exist, and age and lifestyle choices can also play a role. Excess sun exposure without proper eye protection also puts people at higher risk for developing cataracts, but other health or eye conditions may also cause them.

Swollen eyelids (blepharitis)

Blepharitis occurs when bacteria or dandruff get into the hair follicles of the eyelashes and cause an infection. Swollen red and itchy or painful eyelids are the most common symptoms. This can happen to people of all ages, but it becomes increasingly calming for adults 50 or older.

Most of the time, a case of blepharitis can be treated with warm, clean compresses and by keeping the area washed once a day until it goes away on its own. However, if the condition is more painful than usual or lasts more than three to five days, it's worth checking in with your optometrist.

Watery eyes

We mentioned above that excessive tearing or watery eyes can be (ironically) a sign of dry eye. However, other causes of watery eyes include blocked tear ducts or drooping eyelids

If your eyes seem to be more watery than normal, schedule an appointment with our office to identify the cause and see if we can alleviate the symptoms.

Schedule Your Annual Eye Exam With Eye to Eye Family Vision Care

The optometrists at Eye to Eye Family Vision Care prioritizes healthy Vision at every age and stage. Contact us to schedule an appointment and continue optimizing your vision health from age 50 and beyond.