All about Presbyopia


Many believe that presbyopia is a disease, but it is not.  Presbyopia is actually the eyes inability to adjust and accommodate changes in lighting and focus as the body ages.  Many experts believe that presbyopia is caused by a loss of elasticity in the crystalline lens or even changes in the shape of the lens or the loss of power in the ciliary muscles, though the specific cause is not known.  Much has been written on the condition, and for all experts know each case has a different cause, what experts do know is that we will all experience the condition sooner or later.

Presbyopia doesn’t pick and choose its victims, because it literally affects everyone at some point in their life, usually it starts anywhere from age 40-50. 

The first symptoms are usually the inability to read fine print, to read in dim lighting, and some patients experience strained eyes when they read for long periods of time.  The condition is usually less noticeable in bright natural light as the iris closes so that the depth of focus is enhanced.  It seems as though the ability to focus is greater, but really it is not.

Unfortunately, presbyopia is not something that can be cured, though experts believe that there may be a cure or preventative treatments in the future. 

Luckily, the eyes inability to adjust can be treated with corrective lenses, glasses, and contact lenses.  Many that suffer from this condition find that bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses are quite helpful in eliminating or at least reducing the symptoms of presbyopia.  Many patients find that wearing just one lens will help the symptoms so that they will again be able to read without trouble.

By the age of 65 most people report symptoms of full-blown presbyopia, but most find ways to cope with the symptoms.  Some find that reading glasses help them read every day things such as prescription bottles and recipe cards with little or no effort.  Many people don’t like the idea of contact lenses or corrective lenses so they continue to hold things further and further away as they age.  You’ll find as you get older that you just hold things further and further away from your face as you read!  The action that you choose to take to deal with presbyopia your choice and usually has to do with how severely you are affected.