Presbyopia is a condition that occurs when your eye’s natural lens begins to lose flexibility with age. Symptoms typically begin to materialise around the age of 40 and progress into your mid-60s. While the name might sound intimidating, presbyopia is simply a natural part of ageing. It’s a very common condition that can be met with a range of solutions.
What Causes Presbyopia ?
Let’s dive a little deeper into the causes of Presbyopia, shall we? Presbyopia is caused when the lens inside your eye becomes less flexible over time. This flexibility is what allows your eyes to focus on objects up close, such as a book or smartphone. As the lens stiffens, tasks that used to be effortless—like threading a needle or reading a label—can become blurred and slightly frustrating.
But don’t worry, you’re not alone! Presbyopia is a very common age-related eye condition, with around 2.1 billion people expected to be affected by the year 2030.
How Can You Treat Presbyopia?
The good news is that presbyopia is easy to manage. Depending on your lifestyle and preferences, there are several ways to treat the condition:
Glasses
There are a range of lens options available for combatting the symptoms of presbyopia whether or not you wear glasses to aid with visual issues or not.
Reading Glasses
The simplest solution for many people comes in the form of reading glasses. These are available off the shelf or can be custom made with your prescription. This solution is best suited to people who don’t suffer from myopia, hypermetropia or astigmatism.
Bifocal Lenses
These lenses have two distinct sections: one for distance vision, and another for close-up tasks. Bifocal lenses are often prescribed to combat the symptoms of presbyopia, as they offer a great solution for people struggling to focus on close-up objects.
Progressive Lenses
Progressive lenses are multifocal lenses that offer a smooth transition between near, intermediate, and distance vision without the visible line dividing the lens.
Contact Lenses
For those of you who are unable to wear glasses, or need to have contact lenses in order to partake in activities, there is a range of contact lens solutions available.
Monovision Contact Lenses
Monovision lenses can be a great solution for combating the symptoms of presbyopia, as both lenses cater to different visual needs. One lens helps with viewing distant objects, while the other lens is designed to help you with objects much closer to you.
Multifocal Contact Lenses
A multifocal contact lens is similar to a bifocal contact lens, but with the added capacity to have more than two focal points.
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Corrective Surgery
For those seeking a more permanent solution, numerous surgical procedures can be explored.
LASIK
Laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is one of the most popular surgical procedures that can correct myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia and astigmatism.
SMILE
SMILE (small-incision lenticule extraction) is a procedure where a laser is used to create a disc-shaped lenticule inside the cornea, which is then removed through a small incision. This procedure changes the shape of the cornea and readjusts the entry of light onto the retina.
PRK
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) is a type of correctional laser eye surgery that reshapes the cornea. PRK surgery is often used to correct visual impairments, like myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia.
When Should You Get Help?
We would recommend seeking professional help when you notice a deterioration in your vision. Blurry or unclear vision at any distance can be a sign of numerous conditions, so it’s very important to get specialist help.
Getting your eyes and vision checked on a regular basis is always something we would suggest. You may not be displaying any symptoms of presbyopia or any other eye conditions, but it is always best to stay ahead of the curve with your eye health. The regularity of your eye tests will depend on numerous factors, including your age and your health.
