Presbyopia Correction: What Do I Need to Know
Presbyopia is a natural loss or decline of vision that occurs as you age. As you mature, you will likely start to notice that you have some amount of difficulty seeing objects up close. You might struggle to read the text messages on your phone, to make out the text on a menu out at dinner, or to read a book. At the same time, you’ll find that you may see distant objects—including road signs or blackboards—without difficulty.
While presbyopia can be alarming—especially if you are someone who has always had perfect or near-perfect vision— but it isn’t a severe condition. If you experience presbyopia, you are not alone. Almost every single person will experience presbyopia at some point. Put simply; presbyopia is a very normal side-effect of aging.
Still, no matter how natural or common presbyopia is, it can be an impediment. No type of vision loss should be shrugged off as nothing, and it is always good to consult your optometrist if you feel your vision is declining. In general, annual eye exams are advisable for everyone. These routine checkups can help you monitor your vision and spot early signs of vision problems—from presbyopia to more severe conditions.
Presbyopia and Farsightedness
Because the symptoms of presbyopia are so similar to the symptoms of farsightedness, many people assume that these conditions would receive identical treatment. Indeed, some people even refer to presbyopia as “age-related farsightedness.” While these two conditions have undeniable similarities, though, they are indeed the result of two very different causes. Farsightedness occurs because the image focuses behind the retina as opposed to on the retina.
Presbyopia, meanwhile, occurs because the lens in the eye becomes increasingly rigid. Over time, your lenses will lose some of their flexibility. As this process occurs, the eye becomes less adept at focusing and holding focus on nearby objects. Thus, you experience the symptoms of presbyopia.
Treating Presbyopia: Understanding Your Options
As the effects of presbyopia become increasingly noticeable, you will likely start wondering what you can do to correct the problem. Not being able to get your eyes to focus does feel like a case of your body betraying you, especially if you’ve always been able to read without glasses or contact lenses.
The bad news is that there is no way to “cure” presbyopia. The hardening of the lens that occurs as you age is not reversible. The good news, though, is that there are many different ways to correct your near-field vision once the effects of presbyopia have started to bother you. The most common option, for most people, is to buy a pair of reading glasses. Having a few pairs of readers around the house, at work, in the car, or your bag or purse means you will never be unable to see in situations where you need to read small print.
Other options include progressive addition lenses in glasses, bifocal glasses, or multifocal contact lenses. More extensive possibilities include surgical options such as LASIK or corneal inlay surgery.
At Miami Contact Lens Institute, we can provide a thorough eye exam to determine whether presbyopia is the correct diagnosis for the vision loss you have been experiencing. From there, we can help you determine the best course forward for treatment and vision correction. Contact us today to learn more.