Age-related presbyopia affects near vision, typically occurring around 40 and beyond. Here's what you need to know about its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention:
Causes
Those with presbyopia experience changes in the structure and flexibility of the lens and surrounding muscles as they age. The lens of the eye becomes less flexible with age, making it harder to focus on close objects. As a result of this loss of flexibility, the eye has difficulty accommodating or adjusting focus, making it difficult to see objects up close.
Symptoms
When reading, sewing, or using a computer or smartphone, presbyopia can cause difficulty reading small print, blurred vision at close distances, headaches, and fatigue, as well as eyestrain, headaches, and fatigue. For people with presbyopia, reading materials must be held at arm's length for them to be clearly visible.
Diagnosis
An eye care professional is required to perform a comprehensive eye examination to diagnose presbyopia. In addition to assessing near and distance vision, a refraction test may be used to determine whether corrective lenses are needed, and an examination of the eye's internal structures, including the lens and retina, may be included. The symptoms and changes in near vision associated with presbyopia are typically used to diagnose the condition.
Treatment
Presbyopia can be treated with corrective lenses, such as reading glasses, bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses, which aim to improve near vision. Reading glasses are designed to correct near vision and can be purchased over-the-counter or prescribed by an eye care professional based on individual needs. People with presbyopia who also have other refractive errors, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, may benefit from bifocal, trifocal, or progressive lenses.
Prevention
Presbyopia is a natural part of aging, but there are steps individuals can take to maintain eye health and minimize symptoms. Regular eye exams are essential for monitoring vision changes and detecting eye conditions early. Healthy lifestyles may help maintain eye health and delay the development of presbyopia or other age-related eye conditions, including eating a balanced diet rich in nutrients, protecting the eyes from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and avoiding smoking.
