They may be the mirror of the soul and the gateway for all the senses, but eyes are often the most neglected part of our body, particularly among the over-50s.

“We’re all living longer and healthier lives these days, thanks to increasing life expectancy, but a key part of enjoying life in our older years is healthy vision,” says Lynda McGivney Nolan, optometric adviser with the Association of Optometrists Ireland (AOI).

What many of us don’t realise is that our eyes start to age from as early as 35 years, accelerating with every decade.

“Over 50 per cent of people in their 60s will have some level of cataracts, although they might not even be aware of it,” says McGivney Nolan. “In most cases, cataracts can be very easily removed in a simple, one-day procedure.”

Presbyopia (having difficulty seeing small print up close) will, for many, be their first introduction to glasses.

“It’s really important to remember that these glasses should be changed on average every two years. Some people mistakenly believe, once they have glasses, they have them for life,” adds McGivney Nolan.

One problem with ageing eyes is night driving. As we get into our 50s and beyond, our pupils shrink and don’t dilate as much in the dark, which means that older people don’t focus as easily as younger people.

“By our 70s, our peripheral vision has reduced by as much as 20 to 30 degrees, our sensitivity to colour contrast is reduced and our vision in bright light or glare conditions deteriorates,” she explains.

However it’s not all bad news. “Any optometrist can recommend special lenses for driving at night, which can help a lot. And we would suggest avoiding unnecessary driving in the dark.”

She also advises investing in a good reading lamp, as older eyes need three times more light to read than younger eyes.

The good news is that, with regular eye check-ups and correct lenses, we can actually slow down the effects of ageing on our eyes. In fact, wearing the right type of glasses can reduce ageing effects on the eye by as much as 20 per cent and can reduce the risk of cataracts by 40 per cent, according to the AOI.

“Many older people will either have a medical card or are covered by PRSI contributions to have their eyes checked by an optometrist, who can easily spot any early signs of eye trouble and sort them out before they become a problem. Once every two years is a good rule,” McGivney Nolan says.

A more serious eye problem to look out for, she says, is glaucoma. Known as the “thief of sight”, glaucoma has no symptoms until it’s too late to treat.

“The most common causes of vision loss in the over-50s results from conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, but all of these can be managed and treated if caught early. Being vigilant is crucial.”