Those tiny dots, squiggles and cobweb-like specks drifting across your vision can be maddening—especially when you’re trying to read a recipe, drive to the grocery store or simply enjoy an afternoon on the porch. If you’ve noticed them more lately, take a deep breath: You’re in good company. As many as 76 percent of people experience eye floaters, per a study in the journal Survey of Ophthalmology. The good news? Most floaters are harmless. Even better news: There are eye floaters treatment options for relief, plus clear warning signs that tell you when it’s time to act fast.

What are eye floaters?

Picture your eye as a bag of water with a clear window in front. “Consider the eye as a bag of water with a clear window called the cornea in the front, and a clear lens called the crystalline lens behind the iris and the pupil,” says Robert Abel Jr., MD, a life fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and author of The Eye Care Revolution. Behind that lens sits vitreous humor—a gel-like substance held together by fine collagen fibers.

What causes eye floaters?

Over time, that vitreous gel naturally breaks down. Aging is the biggest culprit, but eye-rubbing, coughing, sun exposure and even straining can speed things up. When collagen fibers clump together, they cast tiny shadows on the retina. Those shadows are what you see as floaters in your vision. Sometimes the vitreous tugs on or pulls away from the retina entirely—a condition called posterior vitreous detachment—which can produce spiderwebs, circles or flashes of light.

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“Just as everybody’s skin will wrinkle with time, nearly everybody will get floaters at some point,” says Benjamin Lin, MD, a vitreoretinal specialist at Texas Retina Associates.

Aging

What Glaucoma Symptoms Look Like & Why It’s the ‘Silent Thief of Sight’

It’s one of the most common causes of vision loss, and one of the easiest to overlook. Glaucoma symptoms develop so gradually that many people don’t realize their sight is slipping away until significant damage has occurred. Fortunately, spotting the subtle warning signs when the condition is still in its early stages can reduce the […]

Eye floaters treatment options that actually help

Before trying anything, see an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam to rule out any serious issues. Once you’re cleared, these gentle treatment strategies can ease the annoyance of eye floaters and flashes in your field of vision.

Give it some time

Most floaters in the eye subside on their own. Gravity slowly pulls them out of your line of sight, and the vitreous fibers contract, making floaters appear smaller. “This pulls them further away from the retina and makes floaters smaller in appearance,” Dr. Abel explains.

Boost your collagen levels

Dr. Abel recommends 2,000 mg each of vitamin C and the amino acid proline daily to help rebuild collagen in the vitreous gel. “Give it a month or two and see if it helps,” he says. “I’d say there’s a 40 percent chance that it will.” 

Another combo that may help: A study in Translational Vision Science and Technology found that taking vitamin C, zinc, grapeseed extract, bitter orange and l-lysine reduced floater-related discomfort within six months.

Wear sunglasses outside…

Sunlight contributes to vitreous breakdown and makes floaters more visible. Blue-light blocking lenses for screen time may help too, since a 2020 report in Medical Hypothesis suggests blue light can speed vitreous deterioration. One to try: Macuhealth VitreousHealth.

…And blue light glasses inside

When you’re working on your computer or staring at a screen, slip on a pair of blue light blocking glasses. A report in the journal Medical Hypothesis suggests the blue light emitted by electronic devices can speed the breakdown of the vitreous humor, increasing the amount of floaters in your vision.

When surgery might make sense

For women whose floaters cause real distress—and a study in the Journal of Ophthalmology found severe floaters are linked to higher rates of depression, stress and anxiety—eye surgery is an option, but Dr. Abel urges caution.

Laser vitreolysis uses lasers to break up eye floaters, but a study in Ophthalmology found that 66 percent of patients were dissatisfied with the results. “It usually doesn’t work,” Dr. Abel notes.

A vitrectomy, which removes the vitreous entirely, is more effective when eye floaters require treatment. “Vitrectomy does get rid of floaters, and it’s a pretty standard procedure,” he says. “I get about one person a year who has this done, and I will say they’re very satisfied.” The trade-off: Up to 80 percent of patients develop a significant cataract within two years, requiring cataract surgery.

Aging

These 7 Cataract Symptoms Are Easy To Dismiss—Are You Noticing Them?

When the world starts to look a little duller—the print less crisp, the glare more insistent—it’s easy to write off the change as fatigue or simply the passing of time. But the problem may lie deeper. Cataract symptoms, caused by the gradual clouding of the eye’s natural lens, are among the most common causes of […]

Symptoms of a medical emergency

We know you know this, but it bears repeating: Keeping up with regular eye exams can help your doctor spot and treat eye issues promptly. And while most floaters are benign, certain symptoms mean you should head to the ER—not wait until Monday morning.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice:

• A sudden, dramatic increase in new floaters, especially with flashes of light in one or both eyes. According to the National Eye Institute, this can signal retinal tear or detachment. “You may need surgery in 24 to 48 hours to prevent permanent vision loss,” Dr. Lin warns.
• A dark “curtain” or shadow creeping across your peripheral vision—another red flag for retinal detachment.
• A large burst of new floaters tinged with red, which can mean bleeding inside the eye from conditions such as diabetic retinopathy.
• A fixed black spot that doesn’t move, called a scotoma. This can indicate a stroke in the eye, glaucoma or macular degeneration. If it comes with a severe headache, trouble speaking or numbness, call 911—it may be a stroke in the brain.

The bottom line on eye floaters treatment

Moving floaters that dart away when you try to look at them are usually harmless. Fixed spots, curtain-like shadows or sudden flashes are not. When in doubt, get checked—and don’t skip those yearly dilated eye exams. Your future self will thank you.

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You glance up at a blue sky and notice something dark drifting across your view. Or maybe there’s a fixed, shadowy patch that doesn’t move at all. Or perhaps a dark curtain seems to be creeping in from the side. So you Google “black spots in vision”—yet still feel confused. Don’t worry, we’ve got you! 

A whopping 87 percent of us experience some form of this visual phenomenon. Most of the time, it’s nothing serious. But in rare cases, it’s a sign you need help within hours—not days. Knowing the difference could put your mind at ease. It could also save your sight, says Benjamin Lin, MD, a vitreoretinal specialist at Texas Retina Associates in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Here’s what Dr. Lin wants every woman over 50 to know.

3 types of black spots in your vision

Dr. Lin says black spots in your vision fall into three distinct categories, and each one tells a different story.

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Aging

What Glaucoma Symptoms Look Like & Why It’s the ‘Silent Thief of Sight’

It’s one of the most common causes of vision loss, and one of the easiest to overlook. Glaucoma symptoms develop so gradually that many people don’t realize their sight is slipping away until significant damage has occurred. Fortunately, spotting the subtle warning signs when the condition is still in its early stages can reduce the […]

A moving spot 

A speck, blob, squiggle or “fly” that drifts or flits across your field of vision when you move your eyes is most likely an eye floater. And while it can be alarming, it’s often benign.

A fixed spot or blank patch 

A dark area that stays put no matter where you look is called a scotoma, and it can signal something far more serious, including glaucoma, macular degeneration or even a stroke.

A shadow or curtain 

A dark arc or veil that appears to creep across your vision from one side is a potential sign of retinal detachment, for which you need urgent medical attention.

What causes floating black spots in your vision 

The most common moving spots, called eye floaters, are actually shadows. They’re cast by tiny clumps of collagen that have condensed in the vitreous gel that fills the inside of a healthy eye. Some are black or dark, others grayish or even transparent. There are a surprising number of things that can cause floaters to develop faster, including extreme nearsightedness, trauma to your eye area and some scary eye conditions. 

But most often they’re caused by normal age-related changes to the vitreous gel. “Just as everybody’s skin will wrinkle with time, nearly everybody will get floaters at some point,” says Dr. Lin.

Here’s when eye floaters become urgent: According to the National Eye Institute, a sudden dramatic increase in new floaters (especially if accompanied by flashes of light in one or both eyes) is a crucial warning sign of retinal detachment, a condition in which the retina pulls away from the back of the eye. Dr. Lin warns that depending on the type and location of the detachment, “you may need surgery in 24 to 48 hours to prevent permanent vision loss.”

A large sudden increase in floaters—especially if they appear tinged with red—can be caused by bleeding in the eye from conditions like diabetic retinopathy. This can also threaten vision if not addressed quickly. It’s impossible to know the exact cause of floaters based on the symptoms themselves, so it’s important to get evaluated by an eye doctor as soon as possible if you have a sudden increase in floaters.

What causes fixed black spots in your vision 

A black spot that doesn’t move, one that sits stubbornly in the same place in your visual field, is a scotoma—and it deserves prompt medical attention. A scotoma happens when there is damage to the retina or something disrupts the signal between your eye and your brain, Dr. Lin explains. 

Here’s why scotomas demand immediate action: Though scotomas can be caused by damage from diabetic retinopathy, retinal scarring and even certain medications, a fixed black patch in your vision that appears suddenly may indicate a stroke in your eye. If the scotoma is very large and accompanied by symptoms like a severe headache, trouble speaking or numbness in your face or limbs, this may point to a stroke in the brain, says Dr. Lin. If you experience this, call 911 immediately. The sooner you seek treatment, the better your outcome is likely to be.

Not sure if it’s an eye floater or scotoma? Dr. Lin says floaters tend to dart away when you try to look directly at them, and they’re usually much more noticeable against a bright background like a white wall or a clear sky.

What causes a sweeping black spot in your vision

If an expanding black or gray “curtain of darkness” is cutting off your peripheral vision, it should send you straight to an eye doctor, per Dr. Lin. It’s a red flag that you may be developing a retinal detachment, something you need to be extra alert for if you’re over 50, have had cataract surgery, are significantly nearsighted or have previously had a retinal detachment. 

Here’s why a curtain-like shadow is an emergency: This shadow effect happens when fluid seeps through a retinal tear and lifts the retina away from the back of the eye. Without prompt surgical repair, a detached retina loses part of its blood supply and permanent vision loss can follow, cautions Dr. Lin. Seek immediate medical care.

Aging

These 7 Cataract Symptoms Are Easy To Dismiss—Are You Noticing Them?

When the world starts to look a little duller—the print less crisp, the glare more insistent—it’s easy to write off the change as fatigue or simply the passing of time. But the problem may lie deeper. Cataract symptoms, caused by the gradual clouding of the eye’s natural lens, are among the most common causes of […]

The bottom line 

Here’s the good news: The vast majority of the time, what you’re seeing is totally benign. Plus, now you know exactly what to watch for—and when to act fast. When in doubt, call an eye doctor. And don’t skip those annual dilated eye exams, which can catch problems like diabetic retinopathy before they ever cause floaters. You’re protecting both your vision and your peace of mind.

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Notice your vision appears a little blurry lately? It could be cataracts, one of the most common eye conditions that affects vision as we age. But what causes cataracts, and how are they treated? Keep scrolling to discover six of the most common risk factors women over 50 need to know, plus when it’s time to visit your eye doctor.

What cataracts are and common symptoms

Cataracts are cloudy areas in the natural lens of your eye, the clear part that helps focus light. They can start to form as early as your 40s and 50s, but it can be another couple decades before they become big enough to impact your vision, explains James Dello Russo, MD, an optometrist at NJ Eye Center in Bergenfield, NJ. Around 40 percent of women have cataracts by age 70. By age 80, the number jumps to 71 percent.

Some of the most common symptoms of cataracts large enough to affect your vision include:

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• Cloudy or blurry vision
• Colors appearing duller or faded
• Trouble seeing at night
• Trouble seeing in bright light, like bright sun or headlights
• Seeing a halo around lights
• Double vision
• More frequent glasses or contact prescription changes

Of course, cataracts aren’t the only problem that can impact your vision as you get older. Other common culprits include age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma. So if you’re having trouble seeing, you should visit your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam to figure out the underlying culprit, advises Diane Hilal-Campo, MD, an ophthalmologist in Oakland, NJ. They can easily spot cataracts with a dilated eye exam.

Aging

What Glaucoma Symptoms Look Like & Why It’s the ‘Silent Thief of Sight’

It’s one of the most common causes of vision loss, and one of the easiest to overlook. Glaucoma symptoms develop so gradually that many people don’t realize their sight is slipping away until significant damage has occurred. Fortunately, spotting the subtle warning signs when the condition is still in its early stages can reduce the […]

What causes cataracts?

Cataracts form due to normal changes in the eye that happen as we get older. “Most cataracts develop as a natural course of aging,” Dr. Dello Russo says.

The lens of your eye is clear when you’re young. Over time, it can turn cloudy and brown, which can impact your vision. While experts don’t fully understand why this happens, it’s thought that wear and tear causes the fibers of the lens to become damaged and lead to changes in your eyesight, Dr. Hilal-Campo says. Some of this wear and tear may be unavoidable. But things that cause oxidative damage to the cells of your eyes can make it worse or cause cataracts to form sooner, she adds. Risk factors can include:

Sun exposure

You already know the sun’s UV rays can damage your skin and increase skin cancer risk. But it turns out they can also damage your eyes and increase your chances for cataracts. “Cumulative sun damage to lens proteins changes the structure in the lens, causing the lens to become cloudy over time,” Dr. Dello Russo explains.

Smoking

Cigarettes and tobacco create oxidative damage to your eyes, too. In fact, the FDA reports that cigarette smokers are up to three times more likely to develop cataracts compared to those who don’t smoke. (Check out our best quit-smoking tips.)

Uncontrolled diabetes

High blood sugar damages the lens of your eye over time and increases your risk for cataracts, Dr. Hilal-Campo notes. Some findings even suggest that having diabetes can increase your cataract risk up to fivefold.

Eye injuries

Injuries caused by blunt trauma (like a hard bump) or a sharp object may also harm the lens of your eye and raise your odds of developing cataracts later in life.

Medication use

Long-term use of corticosteroids can increase your cataract risk, Dr. Hilal-Campo says. How? They can potentially lead to changes in the proteins that make up your eye lens.

Family history of cataracts

You’re more likely to develop cataracts if your parents or siblings have them. If you’re concerned about your family’s eye health history, let your eye doctor know.

Aging

Eye Pain After 50? What’s Really Causing It and How To Fix It Fast

Whether you’re been experiencing a dull ache, chronic dryness or eye pain that just won’t go away with standard over-the-counter remedies, we have you covered. Keep reading for a few surprising causes behind eye pain and the simple treatments top eye doctors recommend. A little background on eye pain It’s important to recognize that many […]

When to talk to your doctor about cataracts

Taking steps to prevent cataracts naturally—including keeping up with regular eye exams—is a great start toward protecting against vision loss. But if you’re having a harder time seeing clearly or vision problems are making it tougher to do everyday activities, you should visit your doctor. 

Cataracts that get in the way of reading, driving or watching TV can be successfully treated with surgery. “Recovery is usually very fast, and the majority of people who undergo cataract surgery are very satisfied with their vision,” assures Julia Giyaur, MD, an ophthalmologist at New York Laser Vision in New York City.

Wondering how to prevent cataracts and help keep your sight sharp for years to come? Good news: It’s easier than you may think. But first it helps to understand what causes cataracts to develop in the first place. Cataracts affect about 40 percent of women by age 70 and 71 percent of women by age 80, according to the National Institutes of Health. Common cataract symptoms include blurry vision, trouble seeing at night and seeing a “halo” around lights.

With age, the clear lens of your eye can turn cloudy and brown, affecting your vision. While experts don’t yet fully understand why this happens, research suggests that wear and tear causes the fibers of the lens to become damaged, explains Diane Hilal-Campo, MD, an ophthalmologist in Oakland, NJ. Other factors like sun exposure, uncontrolled diabetes and smoking and increase your risk of cataracts in the long term.

While it’s not always possible to stop cataracts from ever forming, “steps can be taken to slow cataract progression,” assures James Dello Russo, MD, an optometrist at NJ Eye Center in Bergenfield, NJ. Best of all, many of the most effective cataract prevention strategies are surprisingly simple!

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How to prevent cataracts: 7 smart tips

These simple tips help reduce your risk and slow the progression of cataracts that do form.

Wear sunglasses

Make like a famous actor going incognito and don a hat and sunglasses whenever you leave the house (even when it’s cloudy). This simple habit can protect your eyes from up to 95 percent of the sun’s damaging UV rays, according to a review in PLoS One. Dr. Hilal-Campo recommends looking for sunglasses that are labeled UV 400, which block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. 

Also smart: Upgrade your regular glasses. Exposure to the sun’s UV rays triggers a process called glycation that can harm the lens of your eye, explains ophthalmologist Rudrani Banik, MD. In addition to wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, “clear prescription lenses [on your regular glasses] can have a UV-blocking coating that protects the eye even without tint,” Dr. Banik says.

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7 Tips To Protect Against AMD and Vision Loss After Age 50

If your vision is blurry or fuzzy, or if you notice that straight lines appear curved or wavy, they could be symptoms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This eye condition is more common in older adults and can eventually lead to vision loss. The good news? There are simple, effective macular degeneration self-care strategies to […]

Snack on bell peppers

Eating 185 mg of vitamin C daily could cut your risk of cataracts in half, suggests one International Ophthalmology study. “Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which can help fight oxidative damage in the eye,” Dr. Hilal-Campo says.

Half a cup of sliced red bell peppers will give you 95 mg of C (that’s more than an orange!). Try pairing them with hummus for an afternoon snack. Other great sources of vitamin C include citrus fruit, strawberries, broccoli and kiwifruit. Want a fun way to help bump up your levels of vitamin C? Consider Welch’s Fusions Citrus Surge fruit snacks, which contain 25 percent of your RDA of vitamin C per serving.

As for vitamin C tablets or pills, supplementing with C alone doesn’t seem to be an effective way to prevent cataracts. “Vitamin C from food might be easier to get into the structure of the eye,” Dr. Hilal-Campo adds.

Savor a salad

Enjoying a daily salad is Dr. Hilal-Campo’s go-to move for keeping her eyes healthy and cataract-free for as long as possible, since it helps her load up on antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. People who eat at least six-and-a-half servings of vegetables daily have an 18 percent lower risk of developing cataracts compared to those who only get two daily servings, according to a study in the journal Eye. Plus salad staples like kale and spinach contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two nutrients that help protect your vision.

Tip: Top your salad with berries for an extra boost. Berries are packed with antioxidants that “help neutralize free radicals and have been shown to protect lens proteins from oxidative damage,” Dr. Banik adds. She says regularly eating antioxidant-rich foods like berries is one of the best things women can do to help prevent cataracts.

Go for a walk

Age-proof your eyes with a walk in the park? Yes! Regularly engaging in moderate exercise like walking can reduce your cataract risk by 10 percent, reveals International Journal of Ophthalmology findings. Being active turns on genes that slow aging of the blood vessels and tissues in your eyes, making it an easy way to help prevent cataracts naturally.

Take a multivitamin

While single-ingredient supplements (like the vitamin C supplements mentioned above) don’t seem to help with cataract prevention, taking a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement can make a difference. In fact, it might reduce your cataract risk up to 66 percent, according to a review in Nutrients. The benefit might come from the combination of eye-boosting nutrients including vitamins A, C and E, says Dr. Hilal-Campo, who recommends Centrum multivitamin/multimineral supplements to her patients. One to try: Centrum Silver Women 50+ Complete Multivitamin.

Tip: Make sure your multivitamin contains selenium, too. Experts reporting in Frontiers in Nutrition found that taking selenium supplements through the menopause transition may help prevent the development of age-related cataracts by lowering oxidative stress.

Dig into bean dip

A nine-year study in the journal Eye found that people who regularly ate two of the dip’s main ingredients, beans and tomatoes, significantly lowered their risk of developing cataracts. Eating five or more servings per week of these antioxidant-rich foods, which prevent oxidative damage to the lens, worked even better than the oft-recommended leafy greens to help reduce the risk of vision loss. 

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Pop a piece of gum

Sounds strange, but chewing a minty stick of gum may help prevent cataracts naturally. The stress hormone cortisol drives up your blood sugar, which can worsen oxidative stress and damage your eye lenses, Dr. Hilal-Campo explains. But popping a piece of gum when you’re tense can lower levels of cortisol and ease feelings of stress and anxiety, according to a Psychology & Behavior study.

The bottom line on how to prevent cataracts

While there’s no foolproof way to guarantee you’ll never develop cataracts, making smart diet and lifestyle tweaks can help dramatically reduce your risk of vision trouble both now and in the future. 

Ready for more inspiration? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video podcasts, health tips and uplifting stories designed for women 40, 50, 60 and beyond.

Whether you’re been experiencing a dull ache, chronic dryness or eye pain that just won’t go away with standard over-the-counter remedies, we have you covered. Keep reading for a few surprising causes behind eye pain and the simple treatments top eye doctors recommend.

A little background on eye pain

It’s important to recognize that many people experience eye pain, but they describe it in very different ways, says ophthalmologist Anat Galor, MD, an expert on ocular surface pain and dry eye. “Some use terms like dryness, burning, aching or tenderness. Others say it feels like fatigue rather than pain. The discomfort can be located on the front of the eye, under the eyelids or even behind the eye. It may be constant or intermittent, and it can be worsened by triggers such as wind or light.”

So whether you’re experiencing throbbing pain, sensitivity to light or pain when moving your eye, it’s clear that eye pain is highly individual. “The key is knowing that there are many possible contributors and identifying the right one for each patient,” says Dr. Galor. “By carefully listening to how symptoms are described—their quality, timing and exacerbating factors—doctors can begin forming a diagnosis and determine the most appropriate next steps.”

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3 questions that help doctors diagnose eye pain

The good news? Your doctor has specific ways to identify what’s causing your discomfort, and you can help by sharing a few key details. Here’s what matters most:

Where and how did your discomfort begin?

“In my office, it’s really helpful to identify how the pain started and what seems to make it better,” adds ophthalmologist Edward Wladis, MD. “Patients can often pinpoint exactly what seemed to bring on the pain, and that provides real insights as to the root cause.”

What makes your eyes feel better?

“We can often find the issue based on what relieves it,” says Dr. Wladis. “For instance, if artificial tears help, the problem is often on the surface of the eye—the cornea or conjunctiva—but deeper pain won’t be alleviated with those types of conservative measures.”

How quickly did the pain develop?

“I think that patients should also consider how rapidly the pain developed,” Dr. Wladis advises. “Problems like angle closure glaucoma, for example, are extremely painful and develop in a matter of minutes.”

“Infections, on the other hand, can develop over a day or so,” he continues. “However, the most likely diagnosis would be much different if a patient has had the discomfort for several months.”

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Wake up To Puffy Eyes? It’s Likely ‘Morning Eyes’, and Here’s What Helps

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2 reasons women over 50 experience eye pain

As our estrogen levels drop in perimenopause and menopause, women are more susceptible to certain conditions that may trigger eye pain. Here, Dr. Galor explores two common causes:

Ocular surface disease

One common cause of eye discomfort is ocular surface disease, often grouped under the term “dry eye,” she says. “However, this doesn’t literally mean the eye is dry—it refers broadly to problems affecting the ocular surface. This could involve decreased tear production, unstable tears or issues with tear composition.”

Tears are complex, she adds, made up of water, mucin and oil. The oil is produced by glands in the eyelids, and dysfunction of these glands—called meibomian gland dysfunction—can significantly contribute to symptoms.

As we age, gland function declines, and this is especially relevant for women. “Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause are strongly associated with the onset of symptoms,” Dr. Galor says. “Whether hormones themselves or other midlife factors are the primary driver, this is typically when women begin noticing eye discomfort for the first time.”

The first line treatment focuses on visible symptoms. “If there is oil gland dysfunction, we address it. If rosacea is contributing, we treat it. If inflammation is present, we target it.”

Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases, like lupus or Sjögren’s syndrome, are another important contributor to eye pain, and women are disproportionately affected.

“We think of the eyes as an indicator of the soul—anything that’s happening in your body, we can see in your eyes,” observes D. Galor. “In these cases, we treat the inflammation locally, then work with rheumatologists if anything else needs to be done to manage the underlying condition.”

When nerves may be causing eye pain

More recently, there has been growing recognition that factors beyond the ocular surface can drive eye pain—particularly nerve dysfunction, reveals Dr. Galor. “Again, women, especially around perimenopause, appear more predisposed, because the nerves just aren’t 100 percent as we get older. There are many reasons why nerves may become abnormal, and this may involve nerves at the level of the eye, central pain processing in the brain or the autonomic nervous system.”

“We know that people with conditions such as fibromyalgia or a history of migraines—even if they had them as kids and outgrew them—may be more likely to develop eye pain,” she says. It’s thought that the same mechanisms that drive the fibromyalgia or migraine pain are driving the eye pain.

Doctors look for certain patterns—for example, burning pain worsened by wind or light, or deep aching behind the eye. This suggests a nerve abnormality.

How to treat nerve-induced eye pain? “This remains an active area of research, and there is still much to learn,” Dr. Galor acknowledges. “What is clear is that focusing only on visible surface findings is often not enough. Treating the ocular surface is an important starting point, but for some patients, a broader approach that considers the nerves is essential.”

The bottom line on nerve pain: “If you’re on this journey and feeling frustrated—doing everything to treat what’s visible on the eye and still not getting better—it’s important to consider that the pain might be nerve-related,” says Dr. Galor. This is especially true for people with fibromyalgia or migraine. In those cases, the pain needs to be approached a little differently.”

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Treating This Sneaky Cause of Blurriness Can Improve Your Vision in 7 Days

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How to treat eye pain at home

“There are things you can try on your own before immediately seeking medical care, especially given how challenging the healthcare system can be,” Dr. Golor says. “A good first step is building a basic eye care routine. That means practicing good eyelid hygiene and using over-the-counter lubricating drops.” That’s especially true if you’ve been diagnosed with dry eye syndrome.

For example, if you wear eye makeup and don’t thoroughly remove it at the end of the day, it can clog the oil glands in your eyelids and worsen symptoms. Simply cleaning your eyelids consistently can make a meaningful difference. “We often recommend starting with these foundational steps no matter what the underlying issue turns out to be,” she says.

It’s also worth looking at environmental factors. “Is the air in your home very dry? Do you sleep with a fan blowing toward your face? Could your eyes be partially open at night? These kinds of triggers can worsen symptoms, and they’re things you can experiment with and modify yourself,” urges Dr. Galor.

When to see a doctor

If you’ve tried these first-level strategies and you’re still struggling, see an eye care professional. They can evaluate the surface of the eye, identify what they see—such as inflammation or gland dysfunction—and target treatment accordingly.

And of course see a doctor immediately if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, adds Dr. Wladis:

• Loss of vision or double vision
• Severe pain
• Additional symptoms (fevers, chills, nausea, headache, vomiting, etc.)
• If the pain is associated with a history of trauma or eye injury

“But for mild irritation, it’s perfectly reasonable to rinse the eyes with artificial tears,” he says. “Or, if a stye is present, for example, warm compresses may help. However, if the condition doesn’t improve, it’s important to seek medical care.”

The bottom line on eye pain

When it comes to treating eye pain, Dr. Galor advises a step ladder approach: Step one is starting with what you can do at home—lid hygiene, lubricating drops and environmental adjustments. Step two is getting a comprehensive eye exam and treating whatever is identified. Step three, if symptoms persist despite treatment, is to consider that nerve-related pain may be contributing and to seek appropriate care. Above all, she emphasizes one key message: Don’t despair. “There are treatments that can help.”

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Dry, itchy eyes are more than just a nuisance—they can blur your vision and make driving, reading and even just watching TV uncomfortable. For many, mild dry eyes are a minor annoyance and resolve without treatment. But for those with chronic dry eyes, known as dry eye syndrome, finding relief can seem like a Herculean task. We spoke with eye doctors to learn more about dry eye syndrome self-care, the home remedies that help and over-the-counter and prescription eye drops worth trying.

Dry eyes vs. dry eye syndrome

Acute bouts of dry eye can be triggered by everything from seasonal allergies to cold, dry air to lots of screentime. But regardless of the cause, if your symptoms occur frequently or impact your quality of life, “you need to worry about dry eye syndrome, which is a chronic condition,” says Jovi Boparai, MD, an ophthalmic surgeon and the co-founder and CEO of CorneaCare.

This occurs when the eyes don’t produce enough tears or they evaporate too quickly to properly lubricate the surface of the eye. The difference between dry eyes and dry eye syndrome? “Having dry eyes is like saying you’re thirsty, whereas having dry eye syndrome is more like suffering from dehydration,” explains Rahul T. Pandit, MD, an ophthalmologist at Houston Methodist and associate professor of clinical ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medicine.

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Thirst can be treated by drinking a few glasses of water, but dehydration requires more intensive care. Similarly, dry eye syndrome requires a multi-faceted self-care strategy (more on that below).

11 dry eye symptoms 

Common symptoms of dry eye syndrome include:

• Redness
• Pain
• Irritation
• Excessive dryness
• Crusting of the eyelashes
• “Stringy” eye discharge
• Feeling like there’s something stuck in your eye
• Blurred vision
• Inflamed eyelids
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

Surprisingly, water eyes can actually be a symptom of dry eye syndrome. “When the body senses the eyes are dry, it produces what are called ‘reflex’ tears, causing the eyes to become watery,” Dr. Boparai explains. “Unfortunately, these reflex tears aren’t sufficient to lubricate the eyes and end up running down the cheeks.”

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Dry eye syndrome self-care tips

Since dry eye syndrome is chronic, it often requires a lifetime of self-care treatment. Dr. Boparai says symptoms typically wax and wane, but never subside completely. Thankfully, these home remedies help treat dry eye, reduce eyelid inflammation and ease discomfort. 

Wipe your eyelids

“The most common cause of dry eyes is meibomian gland dysfunction,” says Dr. Boparai. “These tiny oil glands in the eyelids secrete oil onto the eye’s surface to protect the tear film. When they don’t work well, the oil can back up and cause the glands to clog. Without the oily layer, your tear film gets compromised and your tears evaporate too quickly, leading to dry eye symptoms.”

Dr. Boparai advises using wipes to clean your eyelids and eyelashes each morning after waking. One to try: OCuSOFT Lid Scrub Original Eyelid Cleanser. Prefer a DIY fix? The American Academy of Ophthalmology says placing a few drops of baby shampoo on a wet washcloth can effectively cleanse your eyelids.

Bonus: If you opt for tea tree oil-infused wipes, such as Optase TTO Eyelid Cleansing Wipes, you’ll also help clear away microscopic demodex mites that can trigger or worsen dry eye.

Apply a warm compress

Doing so for about five to 10 minutes at night is a smart dry eye syndrome self-care strategyl. “Warm compresses help open up the [meibomian] glands and support a better balance of oil production for tears,” explains Vicky Wong, OD, an optometrist at Keplr Vision.

And research backs this up. A Brown University study review found the most effective fix to melt waxy build-up was a “moist heat” microwavable mask, used for about 10 minutes daily. Tip: Gently massage eyelids toward the lash line for a moment after warming to nudge out trapped oils.

Slip on shades

If you have chronic dry eyes, you’ve probably noticed that wind and sun exposure make symptoms worse. But “wearing proper sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) protection and lens polarization help protect your eyes from exposure and glare,” Dr. Wong says. UV protection blocks the sun’s rays, while polarization dampens the light your eyes are exposed to. “Wearing wraparound frames can further protect your eyes from experiencing dryness,” she adds.

And to curb your risk of a dry eye syndrome flare-up triggered by breezes, air conditioning or heat blowing, Dr. Pandit recommends driving with the windows up and pointing the air vents inside your car away from your body. He also suggests turning off overhead fans at night and using an oscillating or box fan instead.

Follow the 20-20-20 rule

“Studies have found that we blink around 20 times a minute,” Dr. Wong says. “But when working in front of a computer, that number decreases to about only five times a minute. This is important, because blinking helps squeeze out the tears from the meibomian glands along our eyelids.”

And while stepping away from electronics for a bit is your best bet, it’s not always possible. Instead, “I always advise a 20-20-20 schedule for breaks,” Dr. Wong says. “Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break by looking out a window or at an object about 20 feet away.”

This reduces the strain on your eyes and encourages you to blink, increasing tear production. Proof it works: A study in Contact Lens and Anterior Eye found that the 20-20-20 self-care strategy effectively eases dry eye syndrome and associated symptoms.

Boost your omega-3s

Dr. Wong says Inflammation can be a root cause of dry eye syndrome and/or exacerbate symptoms. Eating anti-inflammatory foods, especially those with omega-3 fatty acids, is a simple dry eye syndrome self-care strategy. “Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation associated with dry eyes,” she explains.

To get the benefits, work more fatty fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel into your diet. Not a seafood lover? Nuts, pasture-raised eggs and chia seeds are also good sources of omega-3s. 

If you prefer a supplement, a report in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found daily omega-3s calm eyelid inflammation, improve tear quality and help eyes stay hydrated. And since fish get their omega-3s from microalgae, algae-based supplements let you skip the middleman. A British review found they’re absorbed just as efficiently as fish oil, without mercury worries or fishy burps. Choose algae supplements containing both DHA and EPA, the key omega-3s shown to ease dry eye syndrome.

Run a humidifier

Most eye doctors suggest keeping indoor humidity levels between 45 to 60 percent to ease dry eye. But you don’t have to worry about increasing the humidity of your entire home. Instead, Dr. Bopal recommends running a humidifier in the places you spend the most time, like your bedroom and office. “More moisture in the air means more moisture for the eyes,” he explains.

A study in the Taiwan Journal of Ophthalmology found that increasing relative humidity inside the home by just 10 percent reduced the occurrence of dry eye syndrome. And another study in Optometry and Vision Science found that using a desktop humidifier improved tear quality and relieved dry eye symptoms.

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The best eye drops for dry eye syndrome self-care

You can increase the efficacy of these home treatments with quality eye drops, or artificial tears. “Different patients respond better to different ingredients, so you might need to try a few types before you find one that works for you,” Dr. Boparai says.

The experts we spoke to recommend using preservative-free eyedrops. It’s also smart to look for eye drops containing hyaluronic acid (HA) and carboxymethyl-cellulose. HA lubricates the eyes and prevents tear evaporation, while carboxymethyl-cellulose protects against eye irritation.

“I typically recommend Blink and Oasis eye drops for my patients,” says Dr. Wong. “[Both brands] contain low or non-existent preservatives and lack benzalkonium chloride (BAK), which is a known ocular surface irritant.” 

Ask about prescription eye drops

If OTC drops aren’t cutting it, ask your doctor if prescription drops such as Restasis, Vevye or Xiidra are right for you. Though they can take some time to work, they may be able to provide more complete relief if your symptoms haven’t responded well to home remedies and drugstore drops.

When the world starts to look a little duller—the print less crisp, the glare more insistent—it’s easy to write off the change as fatigue or simply the passing of time. But the problem may lie deeper. Cataract symptoms, caused by the gradual clouding of the eye’s natural lens, are among the most common causes of vision changes in midlife and beyond. 

Fortunately, the eye condition is also one of the most curable, says Aakriti Garg Shukla, MD, a glaucoma specialist and cataract surgeon at Columbia University Irving Medical Center/New York-Presbyterian Hospital. “If we live long enough, we’ll all develop them,” Dr. Shukla explains. “The beautiful thing is, vision loss from cataracts is completely reversible.”

Keep reading to see the early signs and symptoms of cataracts to watch for, common risk factors and how the condition is treated.

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What causes cataracts?

Cataracts form when proteins in the eye’s clear lens break down and clump together, blocking light and blurring vision. Age is the biggest risk factor for cataracts developing, but several other influences can speed up the process.

“Diabetes, long-term steroid use and frequent UV exposure can all increase the risk,” Dr. Shukla says. Eye injuries and a family history of cataracts also play a role, and genetics sometimes mean the clouding starts surprisingly early. “Some people start to see changes in their 40s,” she adds.

Although menopause itself isn’t independently linked to cataract formation, hormonal changes that come with age can sometimes make women more aware of dryness or light sensitivity, which may draw attention to early vision changes, Dr. Shukla adds.

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7 signs and symptoms of cataracts

In the early stages, cataracts may cause only subtle differences. “Many people describe it as constantly searching for the right lighting,” Dr. Shukla says. “They find themselves turning lamps on and off or struggling to read under the same light that used to be fine.”

Some of the most common signs of cataracts include:

• Colors that seem muted
• Lights that appear unusually bright or dim
• Night driving becomes more difficult
• Glares or “halos” around lights, especially headlights
• Blurry vision 
• Double vision
• A sense that everything looks a bit hazy, as if viewed through a foggy window

“That’s because the lens has become cloudy,” Dr. Shukla notes of the hazy vision cataract symptom. “The light just isn’t getting through the way it should.”

Unlike glaucoma, which affects the optic nerve, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which affects the retina, cataracts distort the eye’s focusing mechanism. That means it’s a mechanical problem that can be corrected rather than a disease that permanently damages vision, explains Dr. Shukla.

Cataract surgery restores clear vision

Once cataract symptoms begin to interfere with daily life (such as your ability to read, drive or distinguish faces), surgery is the definitive and only effective solution, Dr. Shukla says. “Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful procedures in medicine,” she adds.

The 10- to 15-minute operation is usually performed under twilight anesthesia, a light form of sedation that keeps patients awake but completely comfortable. The cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens, known as an intraocular lens, instantly restoring the eye’s ability to focus light.

“Patients can hear sounds and see lights during surgery, but they don’t feel pain,” Dr. Shukla says. “Recovery is smooth. Most notice clearer vision within a week, and full healing takes about a month.”

For women who also have glaucoma, both problems can often be treated at once. “We often perform minimally-invasive glaucoma surgery alongside cataract surgery. Removing the cloudy lens and opening up the eye’s drain can help improve vision while also lowering eye pressure,” she explains. “It’s wonderful to give patients clearer sight and healthier eyes in a single step.”

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These 4 Eye Changes Could Reveal Hidden Health Problems

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How to reduce your risk of cataracts

While no diet or supplement can prevent cataracts or their symptoms, small daily habits can help protect the lens and slow its clouding. Dr. Shukla recommends wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke and keeping your blood sugar and blood pressure well controlled. That’s especially true for those with diabetes, since high blood sugar can damage the proteins in the lens and speed cataract formation. (Discover the high blood sugar symptoms you should never ignore.)

Dr. Shukla notes that regular eye exams are also key, since cataracts, like glaucoma, are easiest to manage when detected early.

“Vision is hugely important for quality of life,” Dr. Shukla says. “As we get older, sometimes other senses like hearing are affected, and that can make people feel disconnected. But the field of ophthalmology is special in that we can improve sight and help people stay connected and involved in the world.”

It’s one of the most common causes of vision loss, and one of the easiest to overlook. Glaucoma symptoms develop so gradually that many people don’t realize their sight is slipping away until significant damage has occurred. Fortunately, spotting the subtle warning signs when the condition is still in its early stages can reduce the risk of permanent vision loss. 

“About half of the people who have glaucoma don’t actually know they have it,” says Aaki Shukla, MD, glaucoma specialist and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. “Because it develops so gradually, most patients don’t realize anything is wrong until the disease is advanced.”

That’s what makes glaucoma so easy to overlook—and why Dr. Shukla says awareness is your best protection.

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What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma isn’t a single disease, but a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, the delicate structure that carries visual information from the eye to the brain. It develops when the clear fluid inside the eye doesn’t drain properly, gradually building intraocular pressure that harms the nerve.

“We call it the ‘silent thief of sight,’” says Dr. Shukla. “Most forms come on very slowly. The signs are so nonspecific that people rarely think of glaucoma first.”

And often, one eye “hides” what’s happening to the other. “Because both eyes work together, it’s possible to lose quite a bit of vision in one eye before realizing something’s off,” she adds. “Many people don’t recognize it until it’s pointed out during an eye exam.”

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What causes glaucoma?

Age is one of the biggest risk factors, Dr. Shukla says. “The risk increases steadily after 50,” she explains. “And while menopause itself isn’t a proven cause, early research suggests estrogen might play a protective role for eye health.”

Family history is another strong risk factor. “If a parent, sibling or child has glaucoma, your own risk can be up to 10 times higher,” Dr. Shukla emphasizes.

“Because glaucoma develops so gradually, most patients don’t realize anything is wrong until the disease is advanced.” —Aaki Shukla, MD

And of course, underlying health conditions can play a role in causing high eye pressure and ultimately glaucoma. “People with diabetes or those who use steroid medications—even creams or inhalers—are at higher risk,” she says. “Steroids can interfere with how the eye drains fluid, raising pressure.”

Finally, women of African American, Hispanic and Asian descent are more likely to develop glaucoma, Dr. Shukla adds.

3 common glaucoma symptoms 

While many of the warning signs of glaucoma are easy to miss, knowing what to watch for (and keeping up with your regular eye exams) can help you and your doctor catch the condition early. “Glaucoma rarely causes pain,” Dr. Shukla says. Instead, you may notice subtle shifts in your vision. “Many people have no idea anything’s wrong,” she adds.

Here, the symptoms of glaucoma Dr. Shukla says you should never ignore:

• Glare or foggy patches, “like looking out on a hazy day”
• Halos (bright circles or rings around lights)
• Blurred vision

A simple habit that can help you notice changes sooner: “Cover one eye, then the other and look around,” Dr. Shukla suggests. “It sounds simple, but it’s often the first way to detect a difference between your eyes.”

Still, nothing replaces a comprehensive eye exam to catch glaucoma symptoms. “Glaucoma and other eye conditions are most often caught when people come in for glasses or a routine checkup,” Dr. Shukla explains. “That’s why everyone over 40 should have a full dilated eye exam by an ophthalmologist every year or two.”

When glaucoma does cause pain

A rare, urgent form called angle-closure glaucoma (which can be either acute angle-closure glaucoma or narrow angle glaucoma) can cause very different symptoms than more common types of glaucoma, such as open-angle glaucoma. “It causes sudden, severe eye pain, blurred vision, even nausea,” says Dr. Shukla. “It happens when the eye’s drainage system becomes blocked. It’s a medical emergency, but it’s also treatable with a quick laser procedure or, in some cases, cataract surgery.”

Glaucoma treatment options

Fortunately, “if we find glaucoma early, we can keep people seeing well for the rest of their lives,” Dr. Shukla says. That usually means starting with a non-invasive laser treatment in the office or prescription eye drops, which lower pressure inside the eye and help prevent further nerve damage.

For patients in midlife or beyond, the condition can occur alongside another common vision change—cataracts—allowing doctors to treat glaucoma by lowering eye pressure and restoring your sight at the same time. Cataracts form as the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy with age, and because glaucoma risk also rises over those same years, it’s common for the two conditions to overlap. (See the difference between glaucoma vs cataracts.)

When both are present, Dr. Shukla often combines cataract and minimally-invasive glaucoma surgery in a single procedure. Removing the cloudy lens not only sharpens vision, but can also open the eye’s drainage system, reducing pressure. “Many of my glaucoma patients are in their 60s and starting to get cataracts,” she says. “These surgeries work in concert—we treat both at once so patients can see better and keep their pressure under control.”

Recovery, she adds, is generally smooth. Most people notice clearer vision within a week, and full healing typically takes about a month.

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The #1 simple habit that protects your sight

Dr. Shukla says the best way to safeguard your sight and reduce your risk of developing glaucoma symptoms is to stay consistent with checkups. “Everyone over the age of 40 should be seen by an ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye exam,” she says.

She also advises mentioning any risk factors at those appointments, such as a family history of glaucoma, diabetes or steroid use, and a history of eye inuries. Those details help doctors catch subtle changes early.

“One of the best parts of ophthalmology is that mostly we can make some major steps in restoring sight and improving quality of life and helping people remain connected and involved in the world,” Dr. Sukla adds.

If you love waking up with a morning java, you’re familiar with the quick energy boost you get from consuming caffeine. But enjoying a regular cup of joe can do more than just perk you up: A new study suggests coffee can affect your vision too. Here we break down what the study reveals about the popular drink and the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)—including the simple swap that might help ward off vision loss as we age.

What is AMD? 

As we get older, the likelihood of developing eye diseases increases. One condition in particular to be aware of is dry age-related macular degeneration. 

“Dry age-related macular degeneration is a condition that happens as you age and can lead to vision loss [especially in your central vision] or blindness,” explains Hunter Cherwek, MD, Ophthalmologist & VP of Clinical Services and Technologies at Orbis International. This is opposed to wet AMD, which is a more severe and less common form of the eye condition.

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“The macula is the most sensitive part of the retina (the back of the eye) and is responsible for crisp, clear vision,” Dr. Cherwek says. “Dry AMD is the most common form of the condition and occurs when a film grows on the retina, which causes vision distortions” or blurred vision. (See more AMD symptoms to watch for here.)

If you’ve never had vision problems or don’t have a genetic predisposition forAMD, you may be wondering how relevant the condition could be to you. But it’s more common than you may realize. “This is an incredibly important topic for everyone because it is one of the leading causes of irreversible vision loss and blindness around the world in people over the age of 60,” says Dr. Cherwek. 

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Can coffee affect your vision? What the research shows 

If you have a particularly busy schedule, you may find yourself reaching for instant coffee more often than not. But when it comes to this type of brew, new research suggests it may be wise to pay attention to how much you consume in order to protect your eye health.

In a new Food Science & Nutrition study, researchers found that consumption of instant coffee was associated with a nearly seven-fold increased risk of developing dry age-related macular degeneration. Ground coffee and decaf coffee did not show the same association in the study. 

So what is it about instant coffee in particular that could affect your vision?  Meenal Agarwal, OD, a board-certified optometrist and leading authority on the eye-brain connection at Dr. Meenal Agarwal & Associates, says its processing could play a role. 

“Instant coffee undergoes more intense processing, often at higher temperatures, which can produce harmful byproducts like acrylamide, a compound linked to oxidative stress and inflammation,” says Dr. Agarwal. “These processes strip away some beneficial compounds found in brewed coffee, possibly harming tissues like the retina.”

Should you stop drinking instant coffee? 

If you love instant coffee, you may not need to toss out your stash just yet. “It’s early to recommend avoiding instant coffee altogether based solely on this study,” says Dr. Agarwal, who cautions that more research is still needed. 

However, experts agree that if you’re prone to developing AMD due to family history or other risk factors (such as being over age 50, smoking or having high blood pressure), simply replacing instant coffee with ground coffee could be a smart move.

“If you have a family history of macular degeneration, it might be worth considering switching from instant coffee to brewed coffee, but I encourage you to bring this up with an eye doctor who is familiar with your case and can give you more specific recommendations,” says Dr. Cherwek. 

Dr. Agarwal had the same advice for those who may be more likely to develop AMD. “It’s smart to minimize potential risks. I’d recommend limiting instant coffee, especially daily use, and opting for brewed or decaf versions,” says Dr. Agarwal. “You don’t need to give up coffee altogether, but it’s worth being mindful about your choices and making positive lifestyle changes.”

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More ways to lower your AMD risk

In addition to changing how you brew your daily cup of coffee, experts suggest other helpful strategies to help ward off AMD and protect your vision.

“The most important step someone can take is to stop smoking—it’s extremely damaging to eye health and significantly increases the likelihood of developing AMD,” says Dr. Cherwek. (Discover more macular degeneration self-care tips here.)

Although diet and weight may not seem directly related to eye health, they’re important to consider.

“In addition, maintaining a healthy diet and managing your weight are essential,” says Dr. Cherwek. “AMD was one of the first retinal diseases where dietary changes were shown to help prevent vision loss. Today, we have a strong body of evidence showing that lifestyle factors like diet and weight management play a critical role in lowering the risk of this disease.”

Dr. Agarwal also recommends the following for lowering AMD risk:

• Annual eye exams
• A diet rich in leafy greens
• Omega-3s
• Colorful fruits
• Wearing 100% UVA/UVB protection or UV400 sunglasses
• Regular exercise
• Considering an eye supplement (your eye doctor can recommend specific ones)

Driving always presents risks, but after dark it’s harder to see potential hazards. Plus, the glow of headlights and brake lights can take your focus off what’s most important: the road. And night driving becomes even more challenging with age since our eyes change over time. Here’s how to improve your night vision naturally and stay safe on the road.  

Why night vision worsens with age

Poor night vision as we age is common, according to James Kelly, MD, an ophthalmologist and refractive surgeon specialist in New York City. Dr. Kelly says that like the rest of the body, our eyes experience various age-related changes such as:

• Reduced pupil size. Specifically, the muscles that control the pupils weaken, making them less responsive to changes in light.
• Poor lens clarity. The clear lenses of the eye become cloudy with age, resulting in cataracts. This scatters the light entering the eye, hampering night vision.
• Slower adaptation. Transitioning from bright light to darkness and vice versa becomes harder.
• Retinal changes. The retina is the part of the eye that senses light and sends electrical signals to the brain, which are then converted into images. The number of rod cells in the eye (which assist with night vision) declines significantly after age 35, making it harder to see in the dark.

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Likewise, certain medical conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure, can damage the structures in our eyes and impact their functioning. “All of these factors contribute to poor night vision,” Dr. Kelly explains, “but regular eye exams can help identify and manage these changes effectively.”

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How to improve night vision

Here, how to improve your night vision with easy tips so that you can drive with confidence. 

Clean your windshield, lights and mirrors

“A clean windshield can significantly improve visibility,” Dr. Kelly says. “Ensure both the inside and outside are free from dirt, smudges and streaks that can cause glare and blur your vision.”

Michelle Andreoli, MD, an ophthalmologist and clinical spokesperson for The American Academy of Ophthalmology, adds that you should check your windshield wipers to ensure they work properly. If they’re worn down, “change them as needed,” she says.

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You should also clean your headlights. “Dirty or foggy headlights can significantly reduce the amount of light they emit, decreasing your visibility,” Dr. Kelly explains. “Cleaning them ensures maximum light output, improving your ability to see the road.”

Finally, don’t forget your rear and side view mirrors. Keeping them clean lets you see what’s happening around and behind you so you can focus on the road ahead.

Adjust your dashboard lighting

Vision experts say that dashboard lights and LED screens in newer cars make it harder for your eyes to adjust to the dark outside the windshield. 

“The brightness of the dashboard serves as another bothersome source of glare when driving at night,” explains Bradley Dougherty, OD, PhD, associate professor of optometry at The Ohio State University College of Optometry. “This lighting can be adjusted downward in many cars, and that may help with night driving comfort.” Dr. Kelly adds that dimming the lights helps your eyes adjust to outside darkness.

Keep eye drops in the glove compartment

“Dry eye and other ocular surface or corneal diseases can make night driving worse,” explains Luis Rojas, OD, co-founder of DeNovo Eye. “There are so many layers that light must travel through to get to the retina. If any of these layers are compromised or disrupted, it’s harder to see clearly. For example, our tears provide an important refractive layer. Without tears, incoming light simply scatters, creating significant glare like a foggy windshield on a car.”

In fact, French scientists found that people dealing with dry eyes were less likely to see things such as crosswalks and roundabouts while driving at night. Artificial tears help maintain the refractive layer that tears normally form on the surface of the eye, reducing vision glare. Keep a bottle of drops handy in your purse to get the benefit.

Take a break

You know that the light produced by street lamps and headlights can cause glare and halos. What you might not know is that excessive exposure to these lights also increases your risk of eye fatigue, according to a study in the Journal of Korean Medical Science

Other studies have linked staring at digital screens, like those found in most modern car dashboards, to eye strain and eye fatigue. So it’s no wonder that many people with poor night vision report similar symptoms.

Driving short distances probably won’t cause problems, but “long hours of driving at night can strain your eyes,” Dr. Kelly says. “Taking regular breaks to rest your eyes can help maintain your night vision and overall alertness.”

Look to the right

Bothered by headlight glare from oncoming traffic? Dr. Kelly recommends focusing on the right-hand lane markings.

“This technique reduces the intense glare from oncoming headlights, which can temporarily impair your vision and cause discomfort,” he says. “By shifting your focus, you still keep track of your lane positioning while avoiding the blinding effect of direct light.” Focusing your attention on the right-hand lane markings also helps you avoid the temporary “after-image” effect that occurs after staring directly at oncoming headlights.

Turn the radio on

Listening to music and singing along while you’re driving stimulates the brain, which improves eye function, suggests Boston University research. Investigators found that brain stimulus increases our ability to see contrast, sharpening overall vision at night.

Eat eye-friendly foods

“Eating a well-balanced diet full of various nutrients can assist with healthy vision,” says Yelena Wheeler, RDN, MPH, a registered dietitian nutritionist for the National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC). “Foods that are high in vitamin A are extremely vital.”

Sweet potatoes, pumpkins, mangos and carrots are rich in vitamin A, a nutrient that research in the Journal of Optometry found helps prevent night blindness. Vitamin A is vital in how the eye converts light into electrical signals for the brain. And researchers at UC Davis found that women with night blindness who ate vitamin A-rich foods daily were better able to adapt their vision in darkness.

Wheeler recommends incorporating several other nutrients into your diet as well, such as:

• Vitamin C: found in citrus fruit, kiwi, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, tomatoes and papaya
• Vitamin E: found in sunflower seeds, spinach, avocados, almonds and hazelnuts
• Omega-3 fatty acids: found in salmon, sardines, walnuts, flax, Brussel sprouts and oysters

“Vitamin C has antioxidant properties which reduce oxidative stress (cellular damage) and may delay cataract formation. Vitamin E has antioxidant properties that can slow down macular degeneration,” Wheeler explains. “Omega-3 fatty acids, on the other hand, contain docosahexaenoic acid (or DHA), which is used by the retina to protect photoreceptor cells” (the cells responsible for helping you see at night).

Consider a vision supplement 

Antioxidant-rich plant pigments known as carotenoids are found in many of the foods mentioned above. Two in particular, lutein and zeaxanthin, protect the eyes from damage. But according to registered dietitian nutritionist Sara Chatfield, MPH, RDN, “most Americans consume only about 1 to 2 mg of lutein and zeaxanthin per day, and experts recommend consuming at least 6 mg daily to preserve eye health.”

Chatfield recommends talking with your doctor about supplementation.. One small study of older adults in the journal Nutrients concluded that participants who were given 7 mg of lutein and 14 mg of zeaxanthin daily for six months experienced improved night vision and better visual processing. Get your daily dose of both—plus vision-supporting omega-3s—with a supplement such as Bausch + Lomb Ocuvite. 

Wear anti-reflective lenses

Another easy way to improve night vision is with anti-reflective glasses or contact lenses. These have a yellow or blue anti-reflective coating that helps reduce glare and halo effects around lights, making it easier to see at night, Dr. Kelly says. “There are a variety of glasses easily and inexpensively available for this purpose.”

Dr. Rojas adds,  “We’re now able to incorporate blue-violet light filtering properties into the contact lens material. The biggest difference is that we’re able to use a much higher concentration of this unique filter (60 percent) compared to 20-40 percent in glasses.”