Describe some of the changes in vision that most of us can expect to experience as we age. Based on these changes, what recommendations would you make for senior drivers?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

As we age, predictable changes occur in our vision. In middle age, the lens accommodates more slowly to changes in focal distance. This condition is known as presbyopia or "old sight." Older adults also have trouble responding quickly to changes in lighting, as when exiting a dark theater into the sunlight. The lens, which provides most of the focus of light onto the retina, continues to grow throughout the life span. As fibers are continually added to the structure of the lens, it takes on a yellow hue. Although this change in color provides more protection from UV rays that might otherwise harm the aging retina, the yellow lens will also distort the person's perception of blue and green. Aging is also associated with smaller pupils, probably due to the loss of elasticity in the muscles of the iris. Smaller pupils allow less light into the eye, negatively affecting the quality of vision. Finally, aging might have a negative effect on the cortical processing of visual information. Compared to younger adults, the visual cortex of older adults does not show an increase in activity as the rate of stimulus presentation increases. This change at an early stage of processing might affect the quality of information available to higher cognitive processes.Recommendations about senior drivers: answers may vary.