All About Presbyopia

Like other body systems, the eyes undergo certain changes as people age. Presbyopia is one of those age-related changes.

Presbyopia is a common refractive error caused by normal changes in the lens in the eye. It causes an individual to gradually lose their ability to see things clearly up close. Most people develop presbyopia to some extent as they age.

The article below looks at presbyopia and includes causes, symptoms, and treatments.
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Causes

The name presbyopia is derived from the Greek word for "old eyes." Changes occur in the eye because of the aging process.

The lens of the eye is flexible and soft when you are young. This allows the lens to easily change shape and focus onto the retina. This helps you to see clearly objects that are both far away and up close.  

However, as we age, the lens becomes increasingly stiff and does not change shape as easily. Because it is not as flexible, it stops focusing light correctly on the retina, making it even more difficult to see up close and do tasks such as reading.
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Symptoms 

The symptoms of presbyopia typically include the following:

• Trouble seeing objects up close
• Eye strain
• Headaches
• Needing to hold materials further away to see them clearly

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Treatment 

Treatment for presbyopia typically includes the following:

Glasses and contact lenses: If you do not have additional refractive errors like astigmatism, glasses may solve your vision issues. For example, reading glasses can improve close-up vision. It is best to have a comprehensive eye exam to help determine the strength of glasses that you need.

Contact lenses may also be an option. Different types of lenses may help, such as monovision contacts or multifocal contacts, depending on your vision. Monovision lenses correct distance vision in one eye and close-up vision in the other eye. Multifocal contacts on the other hand have multiple lens powers into a single lens. It may take some time to adapt to these types of lenses as you train your brain to see this way.

Prescription eye drops: The FDA has approved certain types of eye drop medication to treat presbyopia. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic drops change the size of the pupil, allowing your eyes to focus and see things up close clearly. The drops may last for up to seven hours and require reapplication daily.
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Questions About Presbyopia 

Below are common questions and answers regarding presbyopia.

When does presbyopia start? People develop different age-related changes in their bodies at different rates, and that also includes their eyes. In general, most people tend to develop presbyopia sometime during middle age. According to the National Eye Institute, presbyopia typically starts after age 45.

Can you prevent presbyopia? You can't prevent presbyopia any more than you can stop aging. You can promote healthy vision as you age by the following:

• Getting routine eye exams
• Not smoking
• Protecting your eyes from UV rays from the sun
• Getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet

Does presbyopia continually get worse? Presbyopia can worsen with age. However, progression typically stops after the age of 65.

If you have questions or concerns about presbyopia or any type of refractory error, we are happy to help. Remember, the best way to determine the cause of vision changes is a comprehensive eye exam.

If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.