Elderly Eyes: Normal Changes and Concerns

The cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye, becomes less transparent with age.

The white part of the eye, the sclera, may yellow and appear bloodshot due to increased blood vessels.

A gray or white ring around the cornea, common in older adults.

Fat deposits under the conjunctiva, the clear membrane covering the white of the eye.

The pupil, the black center of the eye, becomes smaller and less responsive to light.

The lens inside the eye becomes slightly opaque, giving the normally black pupil a yellowish hue.

Tiny blood vessels under the conjunctiva often rupture causing small blood spots.

The skin around the eyes becomes loose and wrinkled, with stretching of the eyelids due to age.

The ability of the eye's lens to change shape to focus on objects at different distances.

The gradual decline in the eye's ability to focus on nearby objects, usually starting around 45 years of age.

Eye strain or discomfort caused by prolonged close work, often a symptom of presbyopia.

The retina, responsible for converting light into signals the brain can understand, becomes less sensitive with age.

The ability to distinguish between objects with different levels of contrast decreases, making it harder to see details.

The eye's refractive power may change, leading to changes in vision, often a benign process. In some cases, it may be related to diabetes or cataract development.

The ability to see the difference between shades of gray and outlines. It doesn't rely on black and white contrast like Snellen acuity.

A clouding of the lens which can impact contrast sensitivity, even if Snellen acuity (sharpness) is unaffected.

The process of the eye adapting to light changes by adjusting pupil size and retinal sensitivity.

As we age, the vitreous fluid becomes thinner and small opacities (cloudy spots) cast shadows which we see as floaters.

A sudden detaching of the vitreous, causing larger floaters and potentially leading to a retinal tear or detachment.

Bright flashes of light seen due to stimulation of the retina, usually by a shifting vitreous.

The eye's ability to see clearly at different light levels.

The clarity of vision, often measured using a Snellen eye chart.

Sudden flashes of light in the field of vision, often a symptom of vitreous detachment or retinal detachment, especially when occurring during the daytime.

A condition where the vitreous humor (the gel-like substance filling the eye) detaches from the retina, often causing flashes of light and floaters.

A serious eye condition where the retina, the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye, detaches from the underlying tissue.

A common eye condition characterized by dry, irritated eyes, often caused by insufficient tear production or poor tear quality.

Inflammation of the eyelids, often causing red, itchy, and crusty eyelids.

A condition where the eye's lens becomes cloudy, affecting vision and requiring surgical correction.

A condition affecting the central part of the retina, the macula, causing blurred central vision and difficulty with tasks like reading.

Artificial tears, used to lubricate dry eyes and provide relief from discomfort.

Presbyopia, the age-related decline in near vision, usually starting around 45. It's like your eye's lens loses its flexibility, making it hard to focus on close objects.

Optometrists are often overlooked by GPs for routine eye care, despite their expertise in managing many common eye issues in older adults.

Patients who experience blurred vision, especially if it improves with a pinhole, should be referred to an optometrist for evaluation. This simple test can indicate the need for a stronger prescription or a more serious eye issue.

GPs are crucial in managing age-related eye changes. Providing reassurance and simple advice on lighting conditions for patients is often enough. However, persistent or slowly progressing vision problems should be referred to an optometrist.

Patients with presbyopia can use 'hobby specs' for everyday near vision tasks, but regular eye examinations by an optometrist are still essential for detecting underlying eye diseases.