It is common knowledge that when an individual grows old, their vision deteriorates. However, not all signs of vision trouble can be chalked up to normal ageing.
In an interaction with HT Lifestyle, Dr Ajay Shah explained that a person turning 60 does not automatically mean that they should experience blurred vision, difficulty reading or increasing dependence on brighter light.
Dr Shah further highlighted that chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension and vascular disease can affect the retina, sometimes before a person notices substantial visual symptoms. “Finally, sudden, painless loss of vision in one eye, a new curtain-like shadow, sudden increase in flashes or floaters, or abrupt visual-field loss is not a routine ageing change. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition. Dr Ajay Shah , MBBS, MD, is the managing director of Neuberg Ajay Shah Laboratory in Mumbai and has over four decades of clinical experience.
Because some retinal and vascular conditions are time-sensitive emergencies,” he added, these symptoms require urgent medical evaluation.
From a diagnostic standpoint, a useful eye assessment for a person above the age of 60 is not limited to whether someone can read an eye chart, pointed out Dr Shah. “Some changes are part of normal ageing , but others may be the earliest signs of cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or retinal disease. The key is knowing which pattern requires investigation,” he stated. “These changes can often be corrected with appropriate lenses and lighting. What should not be casually dismissed is a change in the quality or field of vision, noted the physician. “AMD may remain symptom-free in its early stages, which is why relying only on how clearly a person feels they can see can be misleading.
One of the common age-related problems of the eye is presbyopia, which is the gradual loss of the eye’s ability to focus on near objects, according to Dr Shah. “Older adults may also take longer to adjust when moving from bright to dim environments and may notice reduced contrast or difficulty distinguishing certain colours,” he stated. “Reading may become difficult because of cataract , but new distortions such as straight lines appearing bent or wavy can point towards macular disease,” he shared. “Visual acuity should be assessed separately in each eye, followed by refraction, intraocular pressure measurement, retinal and optic-nerve examination and, where indicated, visual-field testing,” he stated. “Importantly, normal eye pressure alone does not rule out glaucoma; diagnosis requires assessment of the optic nerve and visual function.”
