VISION CHANGE OVER TIME VISION CHANGE OVER TIME VISION CHANGE OVER TIME Vision problems ted to emerge from 10 months to 4 years of age. Parents should keep an eye out for squint, lazy eye (amblyopia) in young children. By 8 months, your eyes have the structure of an adults, but they continue to grow until late teens. By then, hopefully any eye conditions have been identified. Myopia is a common condition in young people, with one in every four students being short-sighted. In your 40s, presbyopia starts to affect you. But don't worry, it affects everyone. Worldwide, an estimated 1.3 billion people had presbyopia in 2011. This number is expected to increase to 2.1 billion by 2020. In addition to the gradual development of AMD and cataracts, the structure of your eyes changes over time. As we age, the gel-like vitreous humour that fills up your eye begins to liquefy and pull away from the retina, causing "flashes and floaters". Floaters and flashes of light can also signal the beginning of a detached retina. If you experience flashes and floaters, see your optician immediately to determine the cause. Aging also causes a normal loss of peripheral vision, with the size of our visual field decreasing by approximately one to three degrees per decade of life. By the time you reach your 70s and 80s, you may have a peripheral visual field loss of 20 to 30 degrees. As we age, our bodies produce fewer tears. This is particularly true for women after menopause. If you begin to experience a stinging sensation, or other eye discomfort related to dry eyes, use eye drops as needed throughout the day for comfort, or consult your opticians. By 50, the risk of cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) increase and the need for more regular eye tests is needed. As presbyopia continues to develop, you may find yourself in need of multiple eyewear solutions to tackle vision at different distances. Cells in the retina responsible for colour vision decline as we age. This causes colours to appear less bright and the contrast between different colours becomes less noticeable. By 50, the risk of cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) increase and the need for more regular eye tests is needed. As presbyopia continues to develop, you may find yourself in need of multiple eyewear solutions to tackle vision at different distances. Presbyopia generally is believed to stem from a gradual thickening and loss of flexibility of the natural lens inside your eye. These age-related changes occur within the proteins in the lens, making the lens harder and less elastic over time. Newborns can only focus on objects 8-12 inches away from their face and only see in black and white. Recognising their parents faces is a vital moment in a baby's early vision development. Studies have shown that children as young as 7 or 8 can comfortably and confidently use contact lenses to correct their vision. As we grow into adulthood, our vision reaches its pinnacle and starts to decline. By 22, your vision is about as good as it's ever going to be. It's all downhill from there. But fear not! Vision correction is one of the most studied areas of medical science and eye conditions are more and more common in adults. It's important for drivers to have regular eye tests at least every two years. Gradually, they start to see colour. This starts with red and green until the whole spectrum is filled in. At 4-6 months, depth perception develops and by 8 months, the retina is fully developed. As teenagers develop their independence and start to choose their own means of managing their eye health, it is important to give them access to all the options available to them. That way, they can choose what's best for them. Babies & Young Children Teens Adults 40s 60s Decreased colour vision 70s 50s Most people over 70 have cataracts to some degree and may need cataract surgery. You colour vision declines, and your visual fields begin to narrow. Use extra caution while driving and ask your optician about solutions to boost your contrast colour vision. How advanced aging affects eye structures Vitreous detachment Dry eyes Reduced pupil size Reduced peripheral vision As we age, the muscles that control our pupil and reaction to light lose some strength and elasticity. This causes the pupil to become smaller and less responsive to changes in ambient lighting. In fact, people in their 60s Healthy lifestyles and a healthy diet are your best natural defences against all age-related conditions. Your eyes and your vision both benefit from this too. Choosing not to smoke and keeping healthy is as good for your eyes as it is for your heart and mind. Many eye conditions happen so slowly, you only notice them when the damage is already done. By visiting your opticians for regular eye tests, you can keep an up-to-date picture of your eye health and can catch any problems early. If you have any concerns about your vision, we encourage you to talk to your optician. Make sure they are fully aware of your family's history of eye problems or diabetes so they can offer the best advice for you. With help from your opticians, you can keep your eyes healthy and functioning at their optimum level throughout your lifetime. What you can do about age-related vision changes?
