Visual Impairments in people over 65

Visual problems are more common and eye disease likely to be more advanced in the elderly, with 83% of those registered blind over the age of 65. The common causes of registration are macular degeneration (49%), glaucoma (15%), diabetes (6%), and cardiovascular disease (5%).

With ageing, the lens stiffens, causing presbyopia (difficulty in focussing on near objects), with the result that the person needs glasses for reading. In addition cataracts (opacities of the lens) develop (75% of the over- 65’s).

The retina becomes less sensitive to light making it more difficult to see in low light, and the pupils react more slowly, making it difficult to react to changes in light levels. This makes night driving difficult for affected persons, also finding their way around safely in the home, (for instance, with using stairs).

Older people are more likely to have co-existing age-related hearing loss (presbyacusis), and the combination of the two can have a very disabling effect.