What is aging of the eye?
What is aging of the eye?
When we talk about aging eyes, we often think of needing glasses for reading or seeing at a distance. But these conditions affecting vision are not the only markers of age in the eye, and several other physiological phenomena can occur in the ocular system with age.
In this article, our specialists share an overview of the various physiological changes that occur in your eyes with age:
From the age of 40, the eye's focal point becomes less adaptable and less prone to thickening. Consequently, it is also less able to focus on adjacent objects; this condition is called presbyopia . Bifocals or bifocal focal points can help compensate for this problem.
As the body ages , and from the age of 60 onwards, several other changes begin to appear that can significantly alter your vision and the physiology of your eyes:
- Yellowing or fading caused by prolonged exposure to bright light, wind, and residue.
- Irregular shadow spots (more normal in individuals with a dark complexion) Decreased conjunctiva
- A pale blue tint caused by the enlarged frankness of the sclera
Several syndromes can also appear depending on genetic makeup and the condition of the retina:
Dry eyes
The amount of mucous cells in the eye, as well as tear production, can also decrease with age, so fewer tears are available to keep the outer layer of the eye moist. This is why we are more likely to develop dry eye syndrome as we get older. This dry eye discomfort can be completely benign and invisible, but it can also be problematic when tears need to be released as a defense mechanism (when dust gets into the eye, or when you're cutting an onion, for example).
Arcus senilis
Arcus senilis is a reservoir of calcium and cholesterol salts, appearing as a pale white ring at the edge of the cornea. This ring typically appears in people over 60, but does not affect vision or other eye functions.
Retinal diseases
Several retinal diseases are likely to occur in old age, including macular degeneration , diabetic retinopathy (in cases where individuals have diabetes), and retinal detachment. Other eye conditions, such as cataracts, also become common with age.
To learn more about these conditions, consult our health guides on the following topics:
- What is AMD, how is it detected and treated?
- What is glaucoma, what are its symptoms and what are the treatments?
- What is a cataract, how is it treated and prevented?
Eyelid disorders
The muscles that keep the eyelids closed weaken with age. This decrease in strength, combined with gravity and the age-related drooping of the eyelids, sometimes causes the lower eyelid to turn outward, away from the eyeball. This condition is called ectropion . While not a disease in itself, it can lead to problems and infections if left untreated.
Enophthalmos
In some older individuals, the fat deposits around the eye socket contract, causing the eyeball to retract inward into the socket. This condition is called enophthalmos. In this condition, the orbital fat deposits may protrude into the more visible part of the eye, giving the eyelids a swollen appearance. Severe enophthalmos can cause a slight blockage of peripheral vision.
Pupil disorders
The muscles that control pupil size weaken with age. Pupils become less flexible and react less well to changes in light, especially darkness.
As a result, individuals over 60 may observe that objects appear darker , that they feel a little dizzy when going outside (or when confronted by approaching vehicles while driving late at night), and that they experience difficulty transitioning from brightly lit to darker weather.
These progressions can be particularly troublesome when associated with a cataract.
Various changes in vision also occur as individuals age. Visual acuity (sharpness) decreases despite the use of the best glasses, particularly in people who have cataracts, macular degeneration, or advanced glaucoma.
The amount of light reaching the back of the retina is reduced, increasing the need for brighter lighting and greater contrast between objects and backgrounds. Older individuals may also experience an increased number of drifting dark spots (floaters) in their field of vision. These spots, however, do not usually impair vision.
What is anti-aging eye care?
We speak of 'anti-aging' treatments for the eyes when a change in diet or the intake of supplements helps to reduce the impact of aging on the eye area.
In practice, these treatments result in an increased intake of antioxidants , which guarantee the integrity of eye cells, pigments , and essential fatty acids for vision such as DHA.
In terms of diet, this translates to regularly consuming oily fish (mackerel, sardines) and increasing your intake of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables (citrus fruits, berries, cabbage, leafy greens, etc.). For those whose diet alone is insufficient, regularly taking vision supplements is also an option.
These are often enriched with antioxidants, Omega-3, and pigments to provide the body with the necessary tools to reduce the impact of cellular aging on the eye.
At Phytocea , based on numerous scientific studies on the subject, we have developed ORetine , a high-quality supplement that provides an optimal intake of lutein and astaxanthin, carotenoid pigments necessary for maintaining a healthy retina. The formula doesn't stop there; it also contains many vitamins and nutrients to support normal vision.
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We recommend using ORetine and Omega+ (natural Omega 3 concentrated in DHA) together, which are available in the Vision+ Box , for maximum effectiveness.