As the population ages and the number of seniors over 85 years old are projected to double, healthcare is becoming top priority for many Australians. For the elderly, deterioration in eye health is a major concern that often goes unnoticed or neglected until it is too late.

Poor eyesight goes beyond blurry vision. Irregular eye conditions can appear as symptoms stemming from a range of diseases, not just those related to the eyes. Maintaining healthy vision also reduces the risk of accidents and drastically improves the quality of daily life.

This is why regular eye tests for older friends and relatives are so important. Encouraging your elderly loved ones to invest in their eye health can enrich their lives, well into their senior years. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of eye tests for seniors, age-related eye conditions and tips for maintaining healthy vision with age.

The importance of eye tests for seniors

While regular eye tests are crucial for everyone, this importance only heightens as we age. Vision problems not only affect the quality of everyday life, but can also indicate eye conditions and other health issues.

A simple eye test every year can help seniors maintain and protect their eye health. Beyond correcting blurry vision, eye exams can detect early signs of common age-related eye diseases including macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. Routine screenings also reveal early symptoms of other health problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

For older Australians, it can be difficult to notice or acknowledge symptoms of ageing and declining eye health is no exception. If you have elderly parents or relatives, you might notice this is also a sensitive topic. They may need extra encouragement to get their eyes tested regularly.

It is helpful to approach this conversation by focusing on the clear advantages of healthy vision. Keeping the eyes healthy can protect seniors against diseases and drastically reduce accidents such as trips or falls.

Most importantly, good eye health vastly improves the quality of daily life. This allows your loved ones to enjoy their days to their fullest, well into their later years.

Age-related vision changes and eye conditions

Our bodies undergo many changes over the years, including our vision. Blurry eyesight is certainly one type of change that can affect the elderly. However, there are various other conditions to keep an eye out for during routine testing.

Awareness is key to prevention. With this in mind, let's explore the most common age-related eye changes and eye conditions for senior Australians. 

Presbyopia 

Presbyopia is an eye condition where the ability to focus on nearby objects declines. People with presbyopia may find difficulty reading books, newspapers and other material unless they are held far away. 

This is a natural part of ageing and a common eye problem for seniors. It is also referred to as age-related farsightedness. 

Glaucoma 

Glaucoma refers to a collection of eye diseases distinguished by damage to the optic nerve. This leads to peripheral (side) vision loss, often affecting both eyes one after the other. This can result in permanent vision loss if left undiagnosed or untreated. For older adults and people with a family history of glaucoma, the risk of developing this disease heightens significantly.   

Glaucoma can fly under the radar as it is typically painless, especially in early stages. Until the person experiences a significant loss of peripheral vision, it is quite common for symptoms to go unnoticed. This makes regular eye tests for seniors crucial for early glaucoma detection and prevention.

Macular degeneration

About one-in-seven Australians over 50 years old exhibit signs of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is an eye disease that affects the macular and makes the centre of your vision blurry. The macular is the small part of the eye retina that allows us to see shapes, colours and details with clarity.

Our ability to perform activities such as driving, reading and recognising faces is driven by the macular. AMD only affects central vision; it does not impact peripheral vision.

Cataracts 

Cataracts blur your vision, appearing like cloudy areas in the eye. This condition typically develops in both eyes. However, many experiencing cataracts find that one eye is cloudier than the other. 

Additionally, cataracts can increase sensitivity to glare while simultaneously decreasing sensitivity to visual contrast. It also dulls colours and reduces your ability to see in low light conditions, like when driving at night. 

Driving safely for the elderly

As we age, our ability to react to hazards and navigate roads safely diminishes. Many elderly individuals experience a decline in vision, hearing, movement and cognitive function over the years, which negatively affects their driving skills. Slowed reflexes and decreased coordination are just some of the symptoms of ageing that make seniors vulnerable on the roads. 

Side-effects from medication and medical conditions, such as dementia, can also impair a person’s hazard response while behind the wheel. This is especially dangerous during difficult conditions such as night driving or bad weather.

Here are some simple tips to driving safely for the elderly:

• Before driving - Always check your seatbelt, park brake and pedal position. Double check mirrors, blind spots, sensors and cameras for pedestrians and other road hazards.

• While driving - Slow down in bad conditions like rain or heavy fog. Allow a 3-second gap when travelling behind another vehicle and turn off your phone to avoid distractions. Plan ahead so you can avoid driving long distances, and stick to familiar roads during off-peak hours.
• Assess your car's safety - Check vehicle safety ratings when buying a new car to ensure they align with national safety standards. You can do this through the Australasian New Car Assessment Program.

If you are concerned about changes to an older friend or family member’s health, contact a medical professional for guidance. They can help determine whether this will impact your loved one’s ability to drive safely. 

Signs your loved one should no longer be driving

Are you concerned whether your loved one is still safe to drive themselves around? Starting this conversation with an older friend or family member can be tricky, and you may wish to observe their driving skills closely. You can even ask what they think of their own driving over the years. This can help assess whether your loved one can safely be behind the wheel or not. 

Here are some signs that your loved one should no longer be driving, even if you can’t observe them directly in the same car. This includes:

• Frequent car damage such as new scrapes or dents, crashes, or close calls
• Two or more traffic tickets or warnings in the last two years
• Car insurance premium increases due to driving incidents
• Anxiety about driving in difficult conditions e.g. at night, rainy weather, heavy fog
• Concern from neighbours, friends or family about unsafe driving
• Health issues such as vision, hearing, and movement that may affect driving ability
• Medication side-effects that may impair driving ability
• Complaints about other drivers including speed, abrupt lane changes and unsafe road actions
• Doctor recommendations to alter driving habits or stop driving completely

If you notice several of these signs, it may be time to gently broach the topic with your loved one. Modifying driving habits, or quitting driving altogether, can be a sensitive topic for many people. Loss of freedom and autonomy is particularly concerning for seniors when it comes to ‘giving up the keys’. 

Remember to stay positive, patient and supportive throughout this process. Acknowledge their feelings and help them by offering well-researched alternatives that can suit their lifestyle. 

It can also help to focus on driving skills, rather than age. Finding ways to maintain your loved one’s independence and safety during their changing circumstances is the most important goal! 

Tips for maintaining healthy vision in older age

There are many ways we can maintain healthy vision, even well into our later years.

Here are some easy tips for healthy eyesight that you can integrate into daily life, including:

• Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses that protect your eyes from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays
• Quitting smoking
• Eating healthy with a balanced and nutritious diet
• Exercising regularly and maintain a healthy weight
• Regulating blood pressure
• Limiting screen time wherever possible
• Taking a break from computer or other digital screens every 20 minutes to prevent eye strain
• Avoiding reading in dimly-lit spaces
• Managing diabetes, if necessary

The key to maintaining vision is all about building small everyday habits that lay the foundation for healthy eyesight. Paired with regular eye testing, your loved ones can vastly improve the quality of their daily life. This way, they can enjoy all the adventures of their senior years to the fullest.

Book a seniors eye test today

Regular eye tests are just as important for senior health as doctor appointments and dental checkups. Not only does this help to correct blurry vision as we age, but routine screenings help detect diseases before they progress further.

Ageing brings many changes to the lives of our older friends and family members. Navigating the intricacies of health issues can get overwhelming, and they might need extra encouragement to get their eyes checked. Let your loved ones know how important it is to keep their eyes healthy, so they can continue enjoying all life has to offer!

Book an eye test at your nearest 1001 Optometry today for expert guidance on your eye care needs, backed by 30 years of trust and excellence. We have over 15 convenient locations across NSW and VIC to choose from. Our friendly team is dedicated to supporting your journey to healthy vision every step of the way. 

FAQs