12 Signs Your Vision Changes Aren't A Normal Part Of Aging

If you're experiencing any of these problems, you might want to make an appointment with your eye doctor ASAP.

Finding yourself suddenly needing reading glasses (then subsequently forgetting where you put them) is a common part of getting older. But not all vision changes can be explained away by age alone — and some could even lead to permanent damage to your eyesight if not treated promptly.

“It is important not to assume that changes in your vision are just a normal, inevitable part of aging,” Dr. Carl Danzig, a board-certified ophthalmologist and Director of Vitreo-Retinal Services at the Rand Eye Institute in Deerfield Beach, Florida, told HuffPost. “Excellent treatment options exist for many conditions, and it is best to identify any pathology before it becomes too serious, leading to irreversible vision loss.”

Having trouble seeing things up close is common as we age, according to Danzig, but there are also a host of other eye issues and diseases that are more likely to develop in older people.

“Aging increases the risk of developing eye problems that can lead to loss of vision,” said Dr. Thomas Patrianakos, a board-certified ophthalmologist and chair of ophthalmology surgery at Cook County Health in Chicago. “A full eye exam allows the doctor a better look at the retina and optic nerve so they can identify any potential problems and intervene as early as possible.”

“Eye exams can also help identify certain systemic diseases, like diabetes and high blood pressure,” he continued.