Our eyes are among the mosts complex organs in the body and change continuously throughout our lives.  From the moment we first open our eyes as infants to our golden years, they go through  remarkable changes—adapting to each stage of life and the world around us.

Newborn

At birth, a newborn’s vision is blurry and limited to high-contrast shapes and movement. By 2 to 3 months, babies start tracking objects and recognizing faces—but they can only see clearly within 8 to 12 inches of their face. By age 1, a baby’s vision has improved significantly, approaching adult-like clarity, though some fine-tuning continues. By age 6, eye coordination improves, but conditions like lazy eye (amblyopia) or eye misalignment (strabismus) may start to appear. Regular eye exams in early childhood are key to detecting and treating these issues early.

School-age children

As children start school, their vision begins to stabilize, but nearsightedness (myopia) may develop—especially with more screen time, near tasks, or a family history of the condition. Clear vision is essential for learning and digital eye strain can become a problem. Outdoor play, limiting excessive screen time and studying in good lighting can help maintain healthy vision.

18-40

Between ages 18 and 40, vision and prescriptions are relatively stable. However, dry eye syndrome may begin to appear due to prolonged screen use. Contact lens wearers should continue following proper hygiene to avoid infections. And while serious eye conditions can begin to develop during this stage, regular eye exams help catch problems early and prevent them from getting worse.

40-60

Between ages 40 and 60, most people begin to develop presbyopia—the natural loss of near-focusing ability—which often requires reading glasses or progressive lenses. The risk of eye conditions like glaucoma, cataracts and dry eye also increases. Many people may also notice difficulty seeing at night or experience symptoms of computer vision syndrome—eye strain and discomfort caused by prolonged use of digital screens.

Over 60

After age 60, vision changes become more noticeable and the risk of age-related eye conditions—such as cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and glaucoma—increases. Color perception may shift, with yellows and blues appearing duller. Dry eyes may also become more common. And peripheral vision can decline, affecting balance and mobility increasing the risk of falls. However, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight and managing conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can help reduce the risk of some eye diseases. Additionally, a nutrient-rich diet high in lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3s, ensuring proper home lighting and scheduling annual eye exams can help seniors maintain good vision.

To learn more, speak with your EyeMed representative or visit eyemed.com.