Can I stop my eyesight getting worse as I get older?

Your eyesight is one of your most precious senses, yet almost everyone will experience some form of vision decline as they age.

From around the age of 40, our eyes begin a natural process of change that affects how we see. This isn’t something to fear – it’s a normal part of ageing that can be effectively managed with the right care.

Understanding what’s happening, and taking the right steps to look after your eyes, can help you maintain good vision for longer.

When does vision naturally start to decline?

The strength of your eyesight has actually been declining gradually since the day you were born. Typically we only start to notice problems from the age of around 40 when these changes affect our ability to focus at a useful distance. We start to struggle to read a book, use a computer or browse a device.

This varies from person to person of course, but 99% of people will need some vision support by the end of their lifetime. Interestingly, if you’re long-sighted you might notice changes a little earlier than others.

Why does your eyesight get worse as you get older?

The focusing lens inside your eye sits within an elastic capsule. As we use it this lens produces fibres, just like many other cells in your body. The fibres collect in the capsule making it fuller and fuller, and therefore harder and harder – just like if you were stuffing newspaper into a sock.

The more packed the lens becomes, the less flexible it is. This hardening process begins from birth, so our power to focus reduces each year.

Another factor is how much exposure your eyes have had to UV radiation from the sun. UV damages the lens fibres, transforming them from clear to gradually more yellowing. This affects how clearly you see and eventually leads to cataracts – a common (but treatable) eye condition.

How do you know if your eyesight is getting worse?

You might not immediately notice a change in your vision, but there are some common symptoms that suggest you should get your eyes checked.

Some of the early signs of deteriorating eyesight include:

• Holding objects further away to see them clearly
• Needing more frequent breaks during close work
• Developing headaches
• Having slower reaction times while driving
• Noticing a drop in performance in sports or work tasks
• Finding you’re less productive or feeling tired after a full day of computer work
• Struggling with precision tasks that were once easier

How quickly will my eyesight decline?

Most of the time, vision changes happen slowly. You might suddenly notice a decline, but really this has been happening gradually and only became noticeable once it began to affect a specific task.

There are certain conditions that cause a more rapid change to your eyesight though. For example:

• Medical conditions like diabetes
• Steroid use
• Eye injury
• Exposure to certain toxins
• A combination of environmental factors and your genetics

If you notice any change to your eyes, always seek advice from your optician as soon as possible.

Are there daily habits that damage your eyes more quickly?

There are a number of common habits that can speed up the deterioration of your eyesight.

For people who spend working hours at a desk, there are a number of risks. Working in poor lighting conditions, holding reading materials too close to your face and looking at screens for extended periods without a break will all affect your eyesight long-term.

If you’re a regular screen-user, try following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 metres away for 20 seconds. This gives your eyes the much-needed rest and exercise they need.

Other factors that will make your eyesight worse over time include not using UV protection such as sunglasses, spending too much time indoors and eating too much sugar.

How can I stop my vision from declining?

You can’t stop the natural aging process of your eyes completely, but there are steps you can take to maintain healthier eyes for longer.

Staying well hydrated and eating a healthy diet rich in omega-3 is something everyone should think about. Also, try to spend at least 40 mins outdoors every day and always wear sunglasses.

Visiting the optician for a regular eye check is the most important thing you can do for your eyes – we recommend at least once every 2 years. At Spectacular Opticians we take time to give you personalised advice based on your family history, lifestyle and work.

Can deteriorating vision be fixed?

Yes! While we can’t turn back the clock and give you your 21-year-old eyes again, there are lots of great options to correct vision problems.

Precision glasses, contact lenses, laser surgery and lens exchange procedures are all routes we can discuss to keep your eyes functioning well for a lifetime.

Even the most simple act of wearing accurately prescribed glasses or lenses that help your eyes to relax and prevent straining can stabilise your vision and even slow down prescription changes.

When should I see an Optician?

As soon as you notice any symptoms or changes in your vision.

Acting early is important because we can’t undo damage to the cells that make up your eyes, but we can often prevent further damage by treating the underlying cause. The sooner you get a proper diagnosis, the better your long-term vision will be.

At Spectacular Opticians we take time to understand the exact cause of your vision changes. Our approach isn’t about a quick sale of glasses, it’s about personalised eye care that will maintain the quality of your vision and eye health well into your 70s, 80s and beyond.

If you’ve noticed any changes in your vision, don’t wait. Contact us to book a comprehensive eye examination today.