Presbyopia, one of the most common eye conditions, is the natural loss of our ability to see nearby objects clearly. By the age of 50, most of us will develop presbyopia to some degree.
What causes presbyopia?
In short: age. In young eyes, the lens inside the eye is able to flex easily, quickly focusing on objects at different distances.
As we get older, the lens begins to lose its flexibility. Due to the progressive stiffening of certain areas of the lens, the eye struggles to focus light onto the retina.
The muscle fibres surrounding the lens are also affected by ageing, which further reduces focusing ability. Light is projected beyond its correct position on the retina, causing blurred vision.
Diagnosis
If you experience one or more of the following symptoms between the ages of 40 and 50, you may have presbyopia. The most common symptoms are:
- Difficulty reading small print
- Holding text or objects at arm’s length to see them more clearly
- Squinting to focus
- Eye ache
- Headaches
- Nausea
Did you know?
Presbyopia can develop early — even before the age of 40 — in people who are long-sighted, as the two conditions combine. In the case of short-sightedness (myopia), presbyopia appears to improve the existing visual defect. In fact, short-sighted people are said to develop presbyopia later in life.
Can presbyopia be treated?
Presbyopia is a visual defect that can be compensated for and corrected, but a permanent correction is not possible.
Multifocal contact lenses
Multifocal contact lenses are the most common correction for contact lens wearers who develop presbyopia. These lenses are made with a smooth transition between prescriptions, giving the wearer the ability to focus on objects at near, far, and intermediate distances.
Glasses
If contact lenses aren’t for you, presbyopia can be corrected with reading glasses. These are a straightforward solution if you don’t need any other vision correction, and can be found in most pharmacies.
Your optician may also suggest progressive lenses. Unlike bifocals, they have no dividing line separating near and distance vision. The prescription changes gradually within a single lens, with distance vision at the top and near vision at the bottom. They also allow intermediate vision in the centre of the lens, which is ideal for viewing a computer screen.
PresbyLASIK
Don’t want to wear contact lenses or glasses? PresbyLASIK may be the answer. This is an advanced laser vision correction surgery that changes the physical shape of the cornea (the transparent, protective outer layer of the eye). This creates different power zones that allow us to focus on objects at different distances.
As the human eye continues to change as we age, your prescription is likely to increase over time. We recommend keeping up to date with your eye tests and letting your optician know of any changes in your vision.
If you believe contact lenses or glasses are the right option for you, check out our article on Presbyopia: Contact Lenses vs Glasses for a clear idea of which approach best suits your needs.
If you wear or are considering contact lenses, Lenstore offers the best and most comfortable multifocal contact lenses for presbyopia — daily, fortnightly, and monthly. And that’s not all: you’ll also find solutions and accessories for your lens care and eye health.