The Natural Eye Changes

Our eyes are constantly changing throughout our lifetime. These are considered natural. Although not all of us follow this trend as factors such as environment, lifestyle and health has an influence. 

Here are the main changes that may be noticed.

Presbyopia

Focussing at near objects becomes more difficult and this leads to a natural tendency to hold things further for clearer vision. Some may not realise they are doing it.

Those with myopia will start removing their specs more frequently.

Presbyopia occurs as the lens in the eye becomes less flexible, it doesn’t change shape to focus at near.

During the waking day, the lens in the eye is constantly changing, either bulging or flattening to focus. As time goes on, the lens elasticity reduces.

Presbyopia- blurred image formed on the retina.

The object has to be moved further for clarity.

Light Sensitivity

This reduces as the size of the pupils gets smaller as time goes on. This has a positive effect on our distance vision as less light is entering the eye. This is due to less light scattering.

Increased  lighting can resolve this.

Difficulty seeing at night

Night driving particularly can be a problem due to less background light. 

Eye conditions – Cataract and Macula Degeneration also affects night vision.

Cataract ‘click here’ to read article

Macula Degeneration ‘click here’ to read article

External Features

Here is what is visible as the eye ages:

Arcus – lipid deposits on the cornea, appears as a white cloudy ring.
Pinguecula – yellowing on the ‘white’ of the eye. Conjunctiva tissues are changing in structure which leads to raised yellow/off white areas.
Dark Circles, Hollowing & Wrinkles -due to collagen breaking down.

If you have any questions, please get in touch.