Presbyopia
There’s a good chance you or someone you know will experience presbyopia at some point in your life—the condition impacts 40.3% of those 50 and older. With such a significant impact on so many people, it’s important to understand the signs and causes of presbyopia so you know how to deal with it.
What Is Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a common condition that makes objects appear blurry when viewed up close. Although it’s sometimes classified as a disease, it’s actually a normal part of the aging process.
Causes
What causes presbyopia? Aging. It’s as simple as that. Presbyopia doesn’t indicate a disease or an infection; it just means you’re getting older.
Within your eye, a clear lens sits behind the colored iris. Its job is to properly focus light onto the retina. To help you see objects near and far, the lens needs to change its shape.
In youth, this is an easy job—the lens is malleable, and it easily makes the change. As you get older, however, the lens becomes more rigid. As a result, it can’t focus the light well when you’re trying to see something nearby, and the image looks fuzzy.
Some medical conditions that can increase your risk of strabismus include:
Symptoms
The primary symptom is simply fuzzy vision when you’re trying to look at something close to your eyes. Most people try to adjust for this by holding the item a bit farther away. If you’re performing a task that requires you to focus on something up close, you may develop a headache or experience eye strain.
Diagnosis
As long as you get annual eye exams, your eye doctor should be able to catch the signs of presbyopia quickly. An eye exam includes a refraction test, which is when you look through a contraption and compare how you see with different lenses. This test may reveal presbyopia symptoms.
Your eye exam will also likely include dilation, which gives your optometrist a clearer view of the eye and its structure. This can help your doctor diagnose presbyopia as well.
Treatment Options
The good news is that presbyopia is extremely treatable. As long as you have access to decent vision care, there’s no reason to suffer from the condition. Common presbyopia treatment options include:
- Reading glasses
- Prescription contacts
- Bifocals or trifocals
- Prescription eye drops
- Progressive lenses
- Artificial lens implants
- Refractive surgery
Can LASIK fix presbyopia? Yes—refractive surgery, including LASIK, may be one of your options. However, it’s not suitable for everyone, and most people choose to treat presbyopia with less invasive, non-surgical methods.
You should discuss your treatment options with your eye doctor. Schedule an appointment today if it’s time for your annual eye exam or if you have concerns about presbyopia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Presbyopia the Same as Being Farsighted?
How Can I Prevent Presbyopia?
