Can your eyesight get better with age?

As an optometrist with over a decade of experience in vision care, I can provide some insights into the changes in eyesight as we age. It's important to note that the structure and function of the eye can change over time, and these changes can affect vision in various ways. Firstly, the hardening of the lens is more commonly associated with presbyopia, which is an age-related condition that affects the eye's ability to focus on close objects. This is different from myopia (nearsightedness), where the eye is too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than on it. The hardening of the lens that occurs with age is not typically significant enough to cause a substantial reduction in myopia. However, it is possible for distance vision to appear to improve with age for some individuals, particularly if they are transitioning from myopia to a more emmetropic (normal vision) state. This improvement, if it occurs, is usually minor and happens gradually over many years. It's also worth mentioning that other factors can influence vision as we age. For example, the development of cataracts, which are clouding of the lens, can affect vision and may require treatment. Additionally, conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration can also impact vision and are more common in older adults. In summary, while it's not common for eyesight to improve with age, especially in terms of myopia, there can be minor changes in vision due to the natural aging process of the eye. However, these changes are typically not enough to significantly alter one's vision without the aid of corrective lenses or other treatments.

Almost all studies concerning the hardening of the lens relate to presbyopia findings, not, myopic changes. Because spoiler alert, myopia reduction due to hardening lens isn't significant enough to warrant much study. And yes, your distance vision can certainly appear to improve with age. A little bit, over years.