Changes in vision as you age — are they warning signs?

While some changes in vision are common as you age, it’s important to be aware of warning signs and take proactive steps to care for your eyesight.

Some common changes may start in your early to mid-40s and continue with age.

In your 40s, you may find it hard to read the text in your Bible, restaurant menu or prescription label. Holding the item far away may help at first, but eventually, it may become too blurry to read the words. This common change in eyesight, called presbyopia, can be corrected with reading, bifocal or multifocal glasses or contact lenses.¹

2. Trouble Seeing at Night

Driving to a Wednesday night Bible study could become difficult if your eyes have trouble adjusting and focusing in the dark.² In this case, sharing a ride with a friend may be safer.

3. Loss of Contrast Sensitivity

The eye lens can become discolored with age, making it harder to distinguish between some shades of color.² This can make it harder to see objects if the background is a similar color, such as a brown book on a wooden shelf.

4. Glare Sensitivity

A walk outdoors on a sunny day can quickly turn unpleasant if glares from cars and windows cause eye pain. If glare sensitivity becomes an issue, it can help to wear sunglasses and a hat outdoors. Indoors, you can adjust the brightness of your phone, computer screen or television.²

5. Spots and Floaters

Occasional spots or floaters can be a natural part of the eye’s aging process and usually don’t harm vision. However, a sudden change of multiple floaters accompanied by bright flashing lights could be a warning sign of a tear in your retina.³ Seek medical attention immediately if this occurs.

6. Clouded, Dim or Blurred Vision

Cloudiness in your vision can be caused by a cataract, which can develop slowly and not disturb eyesight early on. Over time, cataracts eventually affect sight and cause cloudy vision. Glasses and brighter lighting can help initially, but cataract surgery may be needed if the condition worsens.⁴

7. Dry Eyes

With age, the tear glands in your eyes may produce fewer tears, leading to dry eyes. This could cause inflammation or damage to the eye’s surface.⁵ Your eye care professional may recommend eye drops or another treatment to relieve the stinging or burning feeling.

8. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in people over 60 years old, but blindness can often be prevented with early treatment. Regular eye exams are critical to catch this disease. Glaucoma damages the optic nerve and increases eye pressure.⁶ 

9. Macular Degeneration

Vision loss caused by dry macular degeneration reduces central vision. This condition may develop gradually, so regular eye exams are essential. Warning signs include a blurry spot in the field of vision and difficulty recognizing faces.⁷

Warning Signs of Vision Changes Requiring Immediate Attention

A sudden vision change could be a red flag for a serious condition, so get help right away if you experience a quick onset of changes. Blurred vision, double vision, floaters, flashes of light, redness and eye or eyelid swelling can also be warning signs that require immediate attention.⁸

How often should you get an eye exam? 

It is recommended that adults ages 18-64 have annual eye exams.⁹ Tell your eye care professional abut any vision issues in your family history.

How can you care for your vision?

In addition to eye exams, you can take care of your eyes with the following tips:

• Eat a healthy diet and stay physically active.¹⁰
• Take breaks from computer or phone screens.
• Manage diabetes — the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 90% of blindness caused by diabetes is preventable.¹¹
• Tell your eye care professional about any vision issues in your family history.

Keep Healthy Sight in Clear View

At GuideStone®, we care about your well-being in all seasons of life. Learn more about our health plans and vision and dental insurance. For more information, contact us at Insurance@GuideStone.org or 1-844-INS-GUIDE (1-844-467-4843), Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT.

¹AOA.org/healthy-eyes/eye-health-for-life/adult-vision-41-to-60-years-of-age
²AOA.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/20-ways-aging-changes-your-eyes
³MayoClinic.org/diseases-conditions/eye-floaters/symptoms-causes/syc-20372346
⁴MayoClinic.org/diseases-conditions/cataracts/symptoms-causes/syc-20353790
⁵MayoClinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-eyes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371863
⁶AAO.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-glaucoma
⁷MayoClinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-macular-degeneration/symptoms-causes/syc-20350375
⁸NIA.nih.gov/health/vision-and-vision-loss/aging-and-your-eyes
⁹VSP.com/eyewear-wellness/ask-eye-doctor/eye-doctor-appointment-every-year
¹⁰TheVisionCouncilFoundation.org/2025/05/30/simple-steps-for-happier-eyes-healthy-vision-month-2025
¹¹CDC.gov/vision-health/data-research/vision-loss-facts