Like the rest of your body, your eyes will inevitably change as you age. That’s why older adults often experience difficulty reading fine print or struggle to see in dimly lit environments. A local optometrist explains why aging eyes require more light.
Why Aging Eyes Need More Light
The American Optometric Association (AOA) says that the older you get, the more sensitive your eyes will be to light and glare. Pupil size shrinks with age, meaning less light passes through the eye. The lenses of older individuals can also thicken and turn into a yellowish hue, disrupting light transmission. As a result, they might have a hard time seeing in poorly lit spaces. Adjusting to prompt and significant changes in brightness can also be a challenge for older people.
What You Can Do to Adapt to Changes in Your Vision
Get Regular Eye Exams
Older adults might need to schedule more frequent eye exam appointments. It’s because many age-related eye problems don’t show early signs in their initial stages. Among them are cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma. Eye specialists can trace even the slightest changes in your vision. They could tell if you need to update your prescription glasses or contact lenses.
Make Adjustments to Your Living Space
People 60 and older usually need twice as much lighting as individuals 20 and younger. It helps to increase ambient light throughout your home. You can add task lighting underneath kitchen cabinets to make preparing meals easier or a lamp next to your couch for when you’re reading.
Glare doesn’t have to get in the way of your daily activities. You can reduce glare in rooms with window treatments like curtains and blinds. Limit or avoid high-gloss finishes on floors, walls and furnishings. Another option is to scatter light from bulbs through lampshades with semi-opaque or frosted glass.
At Spectrum Eye Care, we’re here to help you keep up with changes in your vision. Aside from eyeglasses and contact lenses, we also offer pre- and post-operative care for LASIK eye surgery. Call us at (704) 543-9000 or complete our online form to schedule an appointment.