Senior Vision

Senior Vision

Enjoy Clear & Healthy Vision For a Lifetime

(202) 659-6555

Compassionate Care and Expertise You Can Trust

  • Struggle to read the messages on your smartphone?
  • Do images appear less vibrant than they used to?

Growing old is a privilege.

But when it comes to eye health, aging can bring on several ocular conditions and diseases like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy.

Vision impairment decreases one's ability to perform activities of daily living and increases the risk for depression.

senior woman wearing a hat and eyeglasses

The eye doctors at Metropolitan Optical – Pennsylvania Ave. can help keep your vision clear and comfortable with regular eye exams, early detection and personalized care.


Preserve Your Eyesight With Metropolitan Optical – Pennsylvania Ave.

senior couple wearing glasses with a tablet

Whether you need reading glasses, bifocals, post-cataract surgery care, or eye disease co-management, we've got you covered! 

At Metropolitan Optical – Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, we believe that prevention is the best medicine. That’s why annual eye exams are so important for seniors. Detecting eye conditions early on can help prevent or delay vision loss, keeping your vision clearer for longer. Some serious eye conditions don’t present noticeable symptoms until vision loss has occurred. Fortunately, these can be detected in their early stages by your eye care professional during your eye exam. 

If an eye disease is diagnosed, we’ll create a custom treatment plan and monitor your condition closely to ensure the best outcome. 

Contact Metropolitan Optical – Pennsylvania Ave. today to schedule your eye exam!


Senior Vision FAQs

Can presbyopia be corrected?

Presbyopia, age-related farsightedness, affects your eyes’ ability to focus on near objects. You may become aware of presbyopia once you begin holding books and newspapers at arm’s length to be able to read them. This condition is a natural part of the aging process and affects virtually all adults in their 40s. Our eye doctors will diagnose and help correct your presbyopia so you can see clearly again. They'll provide you with corrective glasses and/or contact lenses, such as monovision and multifcoals.

What are the most common vision problems in the elderly?

The most common causes of vision loss among the elderly are age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. 

  • Age-related macular degeneration is characterized by the loss of central vision. 
  • Glaucoma results in visual field loss.
  • Cataracts cause blurred vision and faded colors among the elderly.
  • Diabetic retinopathy is characterized by blurred vision and floaters, among other symptoms. 
  • Other conditions include dry or watery eyes and floaters. 

Because many of these conditions may initially be asymptomatic, it's critical that elderly patients undergo routine eye exams. The earlier these conditions are detected, the better the treatment outcome. 

Can macular degeneration be prevented?

Although there’s no sure-fire method for preventing eye disease, certain lifestyle habits can put the odds in your favor. To help ensure healthy vision for a lifetime, wear high-quality sunglasses whenever outdoors, quit smoking if you do, eat eye-healthy foods, and ask your optometrist about taking AREDS supplements. Most importantly, regular visits with your eye doctor are crucial to keeping your vision sharp throughout your golden years.


Meet our Senior Vision Specialists

Patient Reviews
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201 Reviews
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- Oct. 25, 2025
I’ve seen Dr. Ayalew for over a decade and I highly recommend her and her medical assistants. They... have magical tricks for putting drops in my eyes when needed and for doing the tests. Someone wrote in a review when I was deciding where to go that Dr. Ayalew could tweak the prescription so that it was like seeing in HD and it’s very true! She is very understanding and has such a nice and calm manner. For picking out glasses I highly recommend Dee (at the Penn Ave location) and Emma (who is sometimes at the Penn Ave location and sometimes at the 18th St location). Both are so sweet and honest when helping you pick out appropriate frames and lenses. This time I got computer glasses for the first time, which are fantastic for being able to see multiple screens at work at a medium distance and my phone closer up. Dee patiently explained the choices in lenses and frames and expertly adjusted the frames to fit my small face. Thanks!
- Oct. 14, 2025
Incredibly nice people! They quickly helped me straight my glasses after I sat on them, free of char... ge. Thank you!
- Oct. 11, 2025
Amazing staff! Highly recommended
- Oct. 06, 2025
Everyone here is so kind and took the time to explain everything to me and talk through various opti... ons. Dee was so wonderful helping me pick out a stylish, affordable pair of frames!
- Aug. 01, 2025
Best service I recommend dr. Saba 👍👍
- Jun. 20, 2025
Wonderful experience and Great staff
- Jun. 05, 2025
I received a late bill for an exam and June was so gracious in making sure I did not have to incur t... he cost. She took care of the issue immediately and provided great customer service! Thanks June
- Jun. 03, 2025
Visiting from out of town and bent my frames. Dropped by to ask for help and they fixed me right up.... Thank you!
- May. 13, 2025
Everyone was friendly & professional.The office was clean and the equipment was sanitized before it ... was used for my visit.
- Apr. 15, 2025
The atmosphere is pleasant and the staff is very helpful.
- Mar. 28, 2025
I've been coming to Metropolitan Optical for many, many years and always received excellent service ... and advice. Dr. Ayalu is terrific!
- Mar. 24, 2025
Metropolitan Optical has been handling my eye care needs for almost 20 years. The best eye specialis... ts in the Washington, DC , Maryland and Virginia area. Please make appointment and you will understand why. Very prompt, courteous and knowledgeable staff.
- Mar. 08, 2025
Highly recommend Metropolitan Optical for anyone looking for an eye-doctor or new frames! It is evid... ent how Dr. Ayalew cares for her patients -- always making sure to squeeze us in because she prioritizes our health. She takes time to explain what's going on and makes sure to develop a care plan that is realistic. The rest of the team are just awesome -- from spending time to make sure that your frames fit and look perfect to making sure that you are scheduled for your next appoint
- Feb. 27, 2025
Have been coming here for over 3 years and it’s great! Wonderful and knowledgeable staff.
- Jan. 14, 2025
Dr Salsa Ayalew is great. She is very patient and clearly communicates what is going on during the ... exam and the appropriate next steps. Dee is also great with helping to select great frames and is responsive to style and pricing concerns.
- Jan. 03, 2025
High professionalism and courtesy.
- Oct. 20, 2024
Excellent care from Dr Saba and excellent customer service
- Oct. 18, 2024
Great place for my eye care! Very satisfied.
- Sep. 14, 2024
Top Tier service is always received at every level when I visit Metropolitan Optical!
- Sep. 13, 2024
Doctor and every staff are very friendly and good customers service, also they explain every step un... til you get discharge. Excellent

View All 201 Reviews

Senior Eye Care in Washington

Our optometry practice in Washington

Photograph of Saba Ayalew
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Care First
  • Aetna
  • Davis Vision
  • VSP
  • EyeMed

elderly man covering one eye

Don’t Let Age Limit Your Vision!

Preserve your eyesight with Metropolitan Optical – Pennsylvania Ave.

(202) 659-6555