Vision Impairment in Older Adults: How to Protect Your Eyesight when You’re Aging

As you age, you may begin to wonder, “Why is my eyesight getting worse?” There are several reasons this can happen. Our eyes have several complicated structures that must work together for you to see well, and they can degrade over time or as a result of conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or simply due to age. Among these potential changes, one of the most common age-related eye issues is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

AMD is defined by a progressive loss of visibility in the center of your vision and a decrease in your ability to see detail. The macula, which is connected to the retina at the back of your eye, can be damaged as we age, resulting in AMD. It does not cause blindness, but the reduction in visibility is enough to make daily life more difficult, including tasks like driving. 

Dry vs. Wet AMD

There are two types of AMD: wet and dry. 

  • Dry AMD is most common and progresses slowly through 3 stages over the years: early, intermediate, and late. This happens through an atrophy process where your light-sensitive cells break down, and the immune system can’t dispose of them effectively, causing buildup.
  • Wet AMD is less common and is caused by overgrowth of blood vessels at the back of the eye, which damages the macula. These blood vessels typically grow because of your body’s attempts to repair damage to the retina, but they end up affecting the macula when they overgrow. Wet AMD causes faster vision loss and is almost always late-stage. 

Early-stage AMD often presents without symptoms, because they typically develop in the intermediate stage. You may notice issues like blurriness or poor low-light vision, which progresses to a large blurred area in the center of your vision by the time AMD reaches late-stage. Another symptom of late-stage AMD is that straight lines may begin to appear wavy, and colors become less vibrant. 

Prevention

While there is no cure for intermediate or late-stage AMD, you can slow its progression with the proper strategies. 

If you are caucasian or have a family history of AMD, you are more likely to develop it, but there are things you can change to lower your risk and prevent further vision loss. In general, prioritizing your health by not smoking, staying active, and maintaining optimal blood pressure and cholesterol levels through the consumption of a nutritious and balanced diet will reduce your AMD risk. There is also some evidence that sunlight may play a role in the progression of AMD, so be sure to wear polarized sunglasses and/or a hat when you spend time outside. 

There are also several vitamins and minerals that are proven to slow or prevent the progression of intermediate AMD to late-stage AMD. Once late-stage is reached, supplements will no longer be effective. Vitamins and minerals that can help with AMD include vitamin C, vitamin E, copper, zinc, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These ingredients can be found in a type of supplement called ARED. 

Supplements to Protect Vision

Here are some recommendations for eye-protecting supplements:

  • With the most comprehensive formula, Fortifeye Macular Defense by Fortifeye Vitamins is a good choice for those who need advanced nutritional support for macular degeneration prevention or management. Its formula is full of essential vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids for serious eye protection, tailored for people with moderate to high risk of AMD. This formula is not recommended for those who smoke or have a history of smoking.
  • If you have a compromised immune system or are looking for more holistic support, Systemic Formulas has a supplement called NeuroVision Eye & Immune Health that is a great choice. Since dry AMD is often in-part caused by the failure of the immune system to clear debris, it may help the immune system dispose of the dead light-sensitive cells so AMD does not progress further. This formula combines antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients for overall eye health and an immune system boost. 
  • EyePromise’s Macular Health AREDS 2-Based Zinc-Free is best for those sensitive to zinc or looking for a simple formula aligned with the AREDS-2 study. This supplement delivers the benefits of the AREDS2 research-backed formula without zinc, ideal for those with sensitivities or dietary restrictions. 

Wet AMD progression can be slowed with procedures like VEGF drugs injected into the eye or photodynamic therapy. These interventions must be performed by a doctor.

Conclusion 

Aging naturally brings changes to your eyesight, but there’s a lot you can do to protect your vision and keep your eyes healthy. Conditions like AMD can be prevented or slowed with the right interventions. Eating well, staying active, and protecting your eyes from the sun can help slow the progression of AMD so you can maintain your independence.

Supplements designed for macular health can also be an effective tool to provide your eyes with the vitamins and minerals they need to stay strong. While vision changes are a natural part of aging, caring for your eyes today will help you maintain visual clarity for years to come. 

FAQs

Why is my eyesight getting worse?

The most common causes of worsening eyesight are cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. 

Can age-related macular degeneration be cured?

AMD can not be cured, but its progression can be stopped or slowed with proper nutritional interventions like supplements and sunglasses. Regular eye exams can also help catch the onset of certain eye diseases, so be sure to see your eye doctor, especially if you experience dry eyes, floaters, vision impairment, painful vision, or have other eye problems.

What supplements can help with age-related macular degeneration?

Fortifeye Macular Defense is a great, wide-spectrum supplement that supports eye health. If you have a compromised immune system or are looking for more holistic support, try NeuroVision Eye & Immune Health. If you are sensitive to zinc, this zinc-free, straightforward formula is your best bet: Macular Health AREDS 2-Based Zinc-Free.