The Older Eye

The Science of the older eye

As we age so do our eyes – no great revelation there – but do you know how? Why? What that means? Different elements of the eyes have different functions and they all age differently.

Perhaps most commonly known are cataracts.  These are a clouding of the natural lens resulting in dim vision.  Usually once these cataracts have developed to a certain stage the natural lens can be removed and replaced by a synthetic lens.  In some cases, usually for other medical reasons, this operation can’t be performed, and alternative solutions need to be found.

The pupil allows light into our eye, expanding and contracting to control the amount of light.  As we age, the muscles that control our pupil size and reaction to light lose strength.  This is often first noticed when driving at night, when the headlights of other cars become more of an issue but also when trying to read indoors as the days get shorter.  Specific coatings and lenses will help with driving, whereas good lighting used in conjunction with prescription spectacles is the answer for reading.  Did you know that because of these changes, people in their 60s need three times more light for comfortable reading than those in their 20s?

The back surface of the eye, known as the retina, has photoreceptor cells that detect light and send signals to the brain.  Colour vision cells decline in sensitivity as we age, causing colours to become dull and the contrast between different colours to be less noticeable.

A big help with all these problems is lighting.  We all have lighting in our homes but general ceiling lights and table lamps don’t produce enough or the right sort of light. When seeing colours and small print becomes a problem, alongside the correct prescription spectacles, directional high definition lamps can really help.