Vision loss is not inevitable. While some age-related eye changes are normal (needing reading glasses, mild glare sensitivity), the major eye diseases — cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy — are all detectable early and treatable. The tragedy is that millions of seniors lose vision that could have been saved with timely screening.
Screen Your Eye Health
👁️ How is your overall vision quality?
🌙 How well can you see at night or in dim light?
📖 Do you see wavy, distorted, or missing areas in your vision?
👀 Have you noticed loss of side (peripheral) vision?
📅 When was your last comprehensive dilated eye exam?
🩸 Do you have diabetes?
👨👩👦 Does glaucoma or macular degeneration run in your family?
🚬 Have you ever smoked?
🕶️ Do you regularly wear UV-protective sunglasses outdoors?
🥗 Do you regularly eat leafy greens, colorful vegetables, and fish?
Your eye health breakdown
Your vision protection plan
Understanding eye health after 60
Your eyes undergo significant changes with age. The lens stiffens (presbyopia), the pupil shrinks (less light enters), and cells in the retina gradually decline. These are normal. What's not normal — and not inevitable — are the four major eye diseases that cause preventable vision loss in millions of seniors every year.
The 4 major eye diseases in seniors
Cataracts: Clouding of the lens. Affects 50% of seniors by age 75. Symptoms: blurry vision, halos around lights, faded colors, poor night vision. Treatment: surgery replaces the clouded lens — one of the most successful surgeries in medicine (98% success rate).
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): Damage to the central retina (macula). Leading cause of severe vision loss in seniors. Two types: dry (gradual, 85-90% of cases) and wet (rapid, more severe). Early signs: wavy lines, dark spots in center of vision. AREDS2 supplements slow progression of intermediate AMD.
Glaucoma: Damage to the optic nerve, usually from elevated eye pressure. Called the "silent thief of sight" because peripheral vision is lost gradually without symptoms until advanced. Affects 6% of adults over 60. Screening via dilated eye exam is the only way to catch it early.
Diabetic retinopathy: High blood sugar damages retinal blood vessels. Affects nearly all Type 2 diabetics after 20 years. Annual dilated exams are critical. Laser treatment and injections can prevent vision loss if caught early.
Sources: National Eye Institute (NEI), 2024. AREDS2 Study (Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2), NIH. American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Patterns, 2023.
Vision loss and fall risk — the dangerous connection
Poor vision is the #4 risk factor for falls in seniors. You can't avoid what you can't see — uneven surfaces, steps, clutter, and curbs all become fall hazards with impaired vision. Correcting vision (updated glasses, cataract surgery) is one of the most effective fall prevention interventions.
Related: Fall Risk Assessment → | Diabetes Risk Quiz →
The AREDS2 formula — the gold standard for eye protection
The NIH-funded AREDS2 study proved that a specific supplement formula slows AMD progression by 25% in intermediate cases. The formula: Lutein (10mg), Zeaxanthin (2mg), Vitamin C (500mg), Vitamin E (400 IU), Zinc (80mg), and Copper (2mg). This is the single most evidence-backed supplement formula for eye health in seniors. Note: it slows progression — it does not prevent AMD from developing.
Supplements that protect vision in seniors
Beyond the AREDS2 formula: Lutein and Zeaxanthin (filter damaging blue light in the retina — found in kale, spinach, egg yolks), Omega-3 DHA (structural component of retinal cells), Bilberry Extract (anthocyanins support night vision and retinal blood flow), and Astaxanthin (powerful antioxidant that crosses the blood-retinal barrier). A diet rich in colorful vegetables and fish provides many of these naturally.
See our guide: Doctor-reviewed eye health supplements →
Frequently Asked Questions
Medical Disclaimer
This quiz is a risk screening tool — it is NOT a vision test or eye exam. Only a comprehensive dilated eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist can diagnose cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy. If you experience any sudden vision changes, seek immediate medical attention.