What is Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is the slow loss of your eyes’ ability to focus on objects that are nearby. It is a natural part of aging and usually becomes noticeable once an individual is in their mid-40s. Many people may notice early signs when they begin holding books, menus, and magazines at arm’s length in order to read them.
Common symptoms of presbyopia include:
- The need to hold reading materials farther away.
- Blurry vision when reading at a normal distance.
- Headaches or eyestrain.
What Causes Presbyopia?
In order to create an image, your eye needs the cornea and lens to focus the light reflected from objects. The closer the object, the more your lens flexes. Presbyopia is caused when the lens of your eye hardens due to aging. As the lens becomes less flexible, it can no longer shape itself to focus on up-close images. This can result in close images appearing blurry or out of focus.
KNOW YOUR DOCTOR
Dr. Archana Gupta
Cataract Surgeon, Ophthalmologist, Cornea & External Diseases Specialist
Dr. Archana Gupta is a board certified ophthalmologist. She specializes in cataract, cornea, external diseases and refractive surgery.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Presbyopia
Presbyopia can be diagnosed during a basic eye exam. Dr. Gupta will perform a refraction test to see if you have a refractive error such as farsightedness or nearsightedness. She may also use different instruments and tools, and ask you to look through different lenses to test your vision.
If you are diagnosed with presbyopia, treatment options include corrective eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery.
Treatments for Presbyopia
Reading Glasses, Progressive Lenses, and Prescription Eyeglasses
Prescription glasses are a simple way to provide vision correction for changes caused by presbyopia. They can improve both distance vision and near vision, making everyday activities more comfortable. You may need customized lenses if over-the-counter readers no longer provide clear close up vision at a normal reading distance. During comprehensive eye exams, your eye doctor will determine the prescription that best meets your visual needs.
Corrective Lenses
Contact lenses are worn directly on the eyes and are available in several designs to address presbyopia. Options include multifocal contact lenses, which provide vision correction at multiple distances, and monovision contact lenses, where one eye is corrected for distance and the other for near tasks. If you choose prescription contacts, be sure to follow proper hygiene practices and use recommended eye drops if needed to help keep your eyes healthy and comfortable.
LASIK
LASIK is a safe and effective procedure that uses a laser to reshape the cornea and correct refractive errors that contribute to blurred vision. Because the procedure reshapes the cornea rather than replacing the natural lens, it may not be the best option for everyone with presbyopia. Recovery from LASIK is generally quick, and many patients experience significantly reduced dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
Refractive Lens Exchange
In some cases of presbyopia, surgery can be performed to remove the natural lens in each eye and replace it with a synthetic intraocular lens. There are several types of lens implants available to help reduce dependence on glasses while improving vision at different distances. Dr. Gupta will discuss your lens options and determine whether refractive lens exchange is an appropriate treatment for your needs.
Schedule Your Appointment
If you are noticing changes in your vision that match up with the symptoms of presbyopia, contact Advanced Eye Surgeons to schedule your appointment today. Board-certified ophthalmologist, Dr. Gupta will assess, diagnose, and treat your refractive error to help improve your vision.
Presbyopia FAQs
At what age does presbyopia usually begin?
What are the first signs of presbyopia?
Is presbyopia the same as farsightedness?
Can presbyopia be prevented?
Can contact lenses correct presbyopia?
Does presbyopia cause headaches?
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