Eyesight And Age

[EcclesCake]

I was once told that eyesight deteriorates at 40, particularly night vision. Is this supported by any evidence?

I do feel that my night vision when driving is not what it was as I find I am more easily dazzled by oncoming headlights.

I am probably overdue a sight test but do wonder if there is a general degeneration with age?

[BlueToffee]

Don't delay, have an eye test to be fair to, not only yourself, but other road users too.

[daffy654]

I didn't have to wear glasses until I turned 40 ish, my optician said my deterioration was age related and that it happens to everyone to some degree.

[Maydup]

I needed reading glasses once I reached about 45 but long distance is fine. OH is the opposite, he needs varifocals. We're all different and yes, our eye sight does deminish with age so best go to the opticians and find out.

[gness]

I'm a fair bit older than you, Eccles but my friends and I in our sixties find night driving less comfortable now because of the glare of oncoming lights ....and yes my eyes deteriorated as I aged.

My vision was perfect until I was nearly forty but I have a feeling that HRT had something to do with the decline....could be wrong.

[EcclesCake]

It's not my vision that is so much of an issue more my night vision and glare......something to do with rods and cones I believe.

[Hypognosis]

I must be suffering some age effects but I still think there's an outbreak of badly adjust headlights, wherever I go, because some oncoming cars are dazzling (even when dipped) while others aren't.

And then there are those super-intense blue headlamps. One time I swear I felt heat in my eyeballs after glancing at them.

[BlueToffee]

As I've said, please don't delay. There might be some hidden problem, and it might save your life, or somebody else's, if you are wearing the right glasses.

One of our very good friends has been left tetraplegic by a driver not seeing her because of age and not wearing his spectacles.

[EcclesCake]

You are a mere whisker older than me Gness......

I abandoned HRT ten or more years as it was making me fat!

I will get an eye test booked in as I know I'm overdue a glaucoma check.

[woofgang]

Scarey story.
About 25 years ago, DH decided he needed reading glasses. Neither of us had had a sight test since our teen years, so DH said I should have one too as we were going. DH got sorted then I went in. Optician said had I got any problems? I said no but as DH was here yadda yadda. Anyway he did the sight test then said to me where are your glasses? I said I had none. He looked quite surprised, showed me my uncorrected vision and the whole world went blurry!
When I ame out DH said I looked in shock....well I was! and have warned glasses for driving ever since
Eccles....go get a sight test!

[rockyracoon]

My night vision is shocking, I wouldn't dream of driving then without my goggles on. It's definitely got worse as I've got older.

[boxtops]

I rarely drive at night these days - I get very confused by headlights, my distance-judging goes out of the window.

[ummmm]

I've always worn glasses but at my last eye test I was told my distance sight has actually improved.

[wolf63]

I wonder if manufacturers make the writing on labels smaller on purpose. I have to take my glasses off to read the instructions on food packaging.

Luckily I can't drive so that isn't really an issue.

My diabetes causes some minor problems but I am now 50 so maybe it is downhill from here. :-)

[cupotee2]

I have worn specs for 65 years but last year noticed my sight driving and being a passenger was awful. Glare from the lights like a huge halo or sparklers...I had my cataracts done as a result and well worth it...my sight is better than I ever remember. You only have one pair of eyes.get them checked properly

[jomifl]

The ability to focus reduces with age, this can be compensated with specs. of various kind. More seriously, cataracts, macular degeneration, tunnel vision and detached retina become more likely. Get your eyes checked. I had a tumour in my eye which may have had a better outcome if I had had it checked sooner.

[237SJ]

Someone told me that when your pupils dilate and retract due to different light conditions, they can`t do it so well when you get older hence the problem with glaring lights. Your eyes can`t respond to the changing conditions so quickly. You can also become long sighted.

[RATTER15]

I can drive with no problems and no glasses during the day but at night especially if it is raining I really need my glasses, every light is blinding and dazzling, only for the last couple of years but my sight has deteriorated in the last 15 years for sure. I'm 55 now.

[pixie373]

Everybody gets more short-sighted with age, so if you are long-sighted at any point, your eyesight can actually improve for a while. My eyesight has always been better than 20/20 when tested, but i find night-driving much harder. I think more cats' eyes and street lighting is the,answer. But no harm in getting your eyes tested, to be sure.

[237SJ]

pixie - are you sure you don`t mean long sighted?

[seadogg]

Never enjoyed driving on those bendy Welsh roads at night even when young. Now I refuse to as headlights have halos. At 77, I happily drive without specs during the daytime (and have regular checkups).