Presbyopia
Presbyopia is a vision condition where the lens loses its flexibility, making it difficult to focus on close objects. In early and middle life, the eye’s crystalline lens can adjust to focus on both near and distant images by becoming thicker for close objects and thinner for distant ones. Presbyopia occurs when this ability diminishes.
Symptoms of Presbyopia:
– Blurry vision when viewing objects up close, typically starting after age 40
– Difficulty adjusting focus between near and distant objects
– Eye fatigue and headaches during close work
Causes of Presbyopia:
-Age: As we age, the lenses in our eyes lose elasticity, reducing their ability to change focus for different distances. Though presbyopia may seem to occur suddenly, the loss of flexibility happens gradually over several years. The lenses begin losing their ability to flatten and thicken long before the difficulty with close-up vision becomes apparent. Presbyopia typically becomes noticeable in the early to mid-forties.
Diagnosing Presbyopia:
A comprehensive eye exam will include testing for presbyopia. Your eye doctor will conduct a refractive evaluation to see if your eyes focus light rays correctly on the retina at various distances. A visual acuity test will measure how clearly you can see at all distances. The doctor will also assess your eye coordination, muscle control, and ability to change focus, all of which affect your vision.
Treatment of Presbyopia:
Reading glasses and contact lenses are commonly used for the temporary treatment of presbyopia. However, several vision correction procedures can surgically reduce or eliminate its effects. Some patients opt for monovision, which allows one eye to see clearly at a distance and the other to see clearly up close. Presbyopia can coexist with other refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.