At What Age Does Vision Decline?

June 14, 2022

Like any other part of the body, your vision’s performance worsens with age. This is a normal process that happens to everyone. As you grow older, you will experience age-related changes that may require medical procedures.



Eyesight Timeline as You Age

 


After birth, infants do not have good vision. Scientists claim that babies can make out face shapes without distinguishing the details. Their vision remains this way until they are around two years old. At this age, their eyesight is as good as an adult’s. If you have a child, this is the best age to take them to their first appointment with an eye doctor.

They can maintain the same quality vision throughout their school-age if they do not develop any problems. However, it is possible to get hyperopia or myopia while young. These vision deficiencies are not easy to diagnose until they are in elementary or middle school.



Late Teens to Late 20s

 


These are the years when you are in high school and college. Many people can develop difficulty reading during this time. If you are having issues reading small texts or looking at bright computer screens, it is time to see an eye doctor. Unless you have a secondary disease, most doctors will prescribe corrective lenses.



The 30s

 


The 30s is a time for many changes in your life. You may be working, starting a family, and many other things. Among the changes are some read-free years. Reading fine print becomes harder while signs in the distance seem illegible. These slight vision changes may not interfere with your daily routines.

As you get closer to 40, your chances of developing hyperopia increase. If you need to bring reading material closer or farther away to focus, you may need reading glasses. Most people at this age recognize that they may need reading glasses. Ensure that you keep all your eye appointments as this is a sensitive time.



The Mid-40s to Mid-50s

 


If you forgo treating hyperopia in your 40s, it may worsen in your 50s. In such a case, you may have two sets of prescription glasses, one for reading and another for near or farsightedness.

An ideal option for this condition is monovision contacts. Most popular with women, these lenses help one eye see close while the other see far away. You can also opt for progressive glasses that have the same solution.

LASIK or other corrective procedures are also a good solution at this age. However, this must be a recommendation from your doctor since eye surgeries are not suitable for everyone.



The 50s and Above

 


From age 50 and above, you are likely to get cataracts. A common characteristic of this condition is cloudy-looking eyes. Its only remedy is a cataract transplant surgery, typical for many people around this age. You can also surgically treat other conditions at the same time.

See your eye doctor even if your eyesight is not worsening. In some cases, you may have an underlying illness that affects your vision as one of its symptoms.

For more on declining vision, visit Eye Associates of New York at our office in New York, New York. You can also call (212) 650-4888 to schedule an appointment today.

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