What Australians should know about eye health at ages 40, 50, 60 and beyond

In your 40s: don’t ignore the small print 

For many people, their 40s are when they first notice their near vision isn't what it used to be. 

You might find yourself holding your phone further away, struggling to read a menu in dim lighting or needing brighter light to see small print.  

You may also experience tired eyes or headaches after reading or using a computer. 

This is usually due to presbyopia, a normal age-related change that makes it harder for the eye to focus on nearby objects. 

Your 40s eye health checklist 

• Get your eyes checked regularly - an optometrist can check whether your prescription has changed, recommend the appropriate glasses and assess the health of your eyes. 
• Don't assume blurry vision is just ageing - changes in vision can have many causes. An eye examination can help identify the cause. 
• Protect your eyes from sun damage - UV exposure can contribute to several eye conditions. Wear sunglasses that meet Australian standards and a broad-brimmed hat when you're outdoors. 
• Know your family history - some eye conditions, including glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, can be genetic. Tell your optometrist if close relatives have experienced eye disease or vision loss. 

In your 50s: make eye health a priority 

By your 50s, changes to your eyes can become more noticeable. Presbyopia continues to progress and you are likely to need more than one pair of glasses to see clearly for all your visual tasks (e.g. reading glasses and multifocals). 

You may also notice that it takes longer for your eyes to adjust when moving between bright and dim environments. 

If you’re going through menopause, hormonal changes can also affect your eyes.  

You may experience dry, irritated or gritty eyes, blurred vision or increased sensitivity to light.  

If these symptoms are new, persistent or affecting your daily life, talk to your optometrist. 

This is also an age when some eye conditions become more common, including cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 

Importantly, some of these conditions can develop without obvious symptoms early on. Regular eye examinations can help detect changes early, even if your vision seems fine. 

Your 50s eye health checklist 

• Keep up regular eye examinations – your optometrist doesn't just check whether you can see clearly and prescribe the appropriate glasses for all your visual tasks. They can also look for signs of eye disease and changes in your overall eye health. 
• Pay attention to changes in your vision - blurred or distorted vision, difficulty seeing at night, flashes, new floaters or a sudden change in vision should be checked. 
• Look after your general health - conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can affect your eyes. Managing your overall health is an important part of looking after your vision. 
• Eat for eye health - a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, fish and other nutritious foods supports your overall health, including your eyes. 
• Keep wearing your sunnies - UV protection remains important throughout your life. 

In your 60s: early detection matters 

Your 60s are a particularly important time to stay on top of your eye health. 

The risk of several eye conditions increases with age, including cataract, glaucoma and AMD.  

Some conditions can cause permanent vision loss if they aren't detected and managed early. 

You may also notice changes such as reduced contrast sensitivity, increased sensitivity to glare or difficulty seeing in low light. 

These changes can affect everyday activities such as driving, reading and navigating unfamiliar places. 

Your 60s eye health checklist 

• Don't wait for a problem before having an eye examination – visiting your optometrist every year for a regular eye examination can detect changes before you notice symptoms. This ensures you get the best advice on seeing clearly for all your needs. 
• Tell your optometrist about changes in your vision - even subtle changes can be worth investigating. 
• Check your eyes for new floaters or flashes, a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, or a dark curtain or shadow across your vision can signal a retinal problem that - a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light or a dark curtain or shadow across your vision can be a sign of a retinal problem and needs urgent assessment. 
• Keep managing health conditions - diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other health conditions can affect your eye health. 
• Stay active and connected - good vision plays an important role in staying independent and participating in the things you enjoy. 

What about after 70? 

There isn't a magic age when you should suddenly start paying attention to your eyes.  

Eye health is something to look after throughout your life. 

As you get older, your risk of developing certain eye conditions increases, which makes regular eye examinations increasingly important. 

Your optometrist can recommend how often you should have your eyes checked based on your age, eye health, medical history, family history and individual risk factors. 

Know the warning signs 

Whatever your age, some changes in vision should never be ignored. 

Seek urgent eye care if you experience: 

• sudden loss or significant change in vision 
• a sudden increase in floaters 
• flashes of light 
• a dark curtain or shadow across your vision 
• sudden double vision 
• a painful or very red eye, particularly if accompanied by blurred vision, nausea or severe headache. 

If something doesn't look or feel right, it's better to get it checked.