What presbyopia is
Presbyopia is the loss of near focusing ability that comes with age. People typically notice it after 40. Small things, such as fine print, become hard to see. Presbyopia cannot be avoided: everyone, including people who have never had a vision problem and people who are nearsighted, notices the change. Although it is a normal part of ageing, it can be an emotional event for some people because it is associated with getting older, and that is hard to ignore or hide.
Symptoms and causes
The symptoms are easy to identify. If near text looks blurry and is more comfortable to read at arm's length, or if you get headaches and eye strain after the age of 40, you may be becoming presbyopic.
Presbyopia is not caused by genetics in the way astigmatism, nearsightedness and other refractive conditions are. It is caused by a gradual thickening and loss of flexibility of the eye's natural lens. These changes occur in the proteins inside the lens and make it less and less elastic, which makes it harder to focus on near objects.
Treatment options
There are different solutions. The most common way to treat presbyopia is eyeglasses with progressive lenses, which give clear vision at a range of distances. Bifocal contact lenses are an option for people who do not want to wear eyeglasses, although they offer a more limited range of vision and are less popular.
Several surgical options are also available, including radiofrequency-based treatment, Presby LASIK and LASIK. At Spanish Eye Clinic in Dubai our team examines your eyes and helps you choose the option that suits your eye condition.
Limitations
- Presbyopia continues to change with age, so a glasses prescription may need adjusting over time.
- Bifocal lenses offer a more limited range of vision than progressive lenses.
- Not every surgical option suits every patient; a full eye examination decides which, if any, is appropriate for you.