Caring for Your Eyes Through the Years

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A Word From Verywell

Christine L. Larsen, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in glaucoma and cataract surgery. She also serves as adjunct clinical faculty at the University of Minnesota.

Our eyes are vital to maintaining independence and quality of life. Yet, vision is something many people take for granted—until it changes. As an ophthalmologist, I often see patients tend to be more vigilant about their eye care as they age. At the same time, certain serious eye conditions can become more common among older patients. Proactive care can make a tremendous difference in preserving eyesight.

We are seeing a rising number of older adults at risk for age-related eye disease simply because people are living longer. Conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are among the leading causes of vision loss. While cataracts are often treatable with surgery, conditions such as AMD and glaucoma can be more challenging, making early detection crucial.

Fortunately, many of the best practices to protect eye health overlap with general wellness measures:

• Not smoking
• Managing blood pressure and diabetes
• Eating a balanced diet rich in leafy greens and omega-3 fatty acids
• Regular eye exams (ideally every year after age 65) 

Even with preventive measures, some age-related vision changes are inevitable. Around age 40, many people notice that it’s harder to read up close. It’s a common condition called presbyopia, which happens when the natural lens of the eye loses its flexibility with age. Most people only need a basic pair of reading glasses. Others may use bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses, which adjust magnification for both near and distant vision.

Not all eye concerns involve vision clarity. Dry eye disease and other ocular surface problems are often overlooked, yet they can significantly affect comfort and vision. Many patients are surprised to learn that watery eyes can actually be a sign of dryness, a common but frequently misunderstood symptom. Although the visual effects may be subtle compared to other eye conditions, dry eye can still have a significant impact on quality of life. The encouraging news is that once identified, it is highly treatable.

Ultimately, caring for your eyes as you age is not about preventing every change—some are inevitable—but about staying ahead of problems, maximizing vision, and protecting the independence and enjoyment that come with clear sight.