Vision and aging

This chapter focuses on few aspects of vision that are commonly impaired in older adults, and that have been associated with difficulties in the visual activities of everyday life. Structural changes in eye cause impairment of near vision at approximately 40 years of age and later in life cause decrease in visual acuity due to lenticular and retinal changes. Visual parameters that change with aging include visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, scotopic vision, visual field, and visual processing speed. Changes in these parameters of vision have a significant impact on quality of life. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects central vision and has a profound impact on quality of life due to vision impairment. Visual field deficits from cerebral causes also adversely affect quality of life and outcomes from neurological rehabilitation in patients with multiple deficits.