Presbyopia is a condition that impairs the eye’s ability to focus on close objects. It is a normal part of the aging process that typically begins around 40. Symptoms include difficulty reading small print, holding things farther away to see them clearly, and experiencing eye strain. Glasses, contact lenses, or surgery can all be used to correct Bronx Presbyopia.
Presbyopia diagnosing
The first step in diagnosing presbyopia is typically a comprehensive eye exam. During the exam, an eye doctor will check your vision and assess your eyes’ ability to focus on near and far objects. They may also measure the curvature of your corneas and the size of your pupils and check for any other eye conditions that may be present. The doctor may also use a phoropter device to determine your glasses or contact lenses prescription. They will also consider the patient history and symptoms, if any, to conclude the diagnosis.
The main cause of presbyopia is the natural aging process of the eye. As you age, the eye’s lens becomes less flexible, making it harder for the eye to change shape and focus on close objects. The decrease in the elasticity of the eye’s crystalline lens is the primary cause of presbyopia. Another reason can be the long-term use of contact lenses or certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, but these are less common.
Causes of presbyopia
The most common symptoms of presbyopia include:
- Difficulty reading small print or seeing objects up close: This is the most common symptom that usually leads people to seek an eye exam.
- Eyestrain: People with presbyopia often experience discomfort or fatigue when trying to focus on close objects for an extended period.
- Headaches: Eyestrain and the effort required to focus on close objects can cause headaches, especially in presbyopia patients.
- Holding objects farther away to see them clearly: As the eye’s ability to focus on close things decreases, people with presbyopia may find themselves having books, smartphones, or other objects farther away to be able to read them.
- Blurred vision at a near distance: People with presbyopia may experience blurred vision when focusing on close objects, such as when reading or working on a computer.
There are several treatment options for presbyopia, including:
- Eyeglasses: The most common treatment for presbyopia is to wear glasses with multifocal or bifocal lenses. These lenses combine two or more prescriptions into a single lens, allowing the wearer to see both near and far objects.
- People with presbyopia can also benefit from multifocal or bifocal contact lenses. These contacts may be a good option for people who prefer not to wear glasses or have difficulty finding comfortable ones.
- Monovision contact lenses: Another option for people with presbyopia is monovision contact lenses. Using this method, one contact lens is prescribed for distance vision and the other for near vision. This allows the eye to focus on distant and close objects, but it may take some practice.
- Refractive surgery, such as LASIK, can be used to treat presbyopia as well. This procedure can alter the shape of the cornea, allowing the eye to better focus on nearby objects.
- Intraocular lens implant: The intraocular lens (IOL) implant is another surgical option that is commonly used during cataract surgery. The implant replaces the natural lens in the eye and corrects presbyopia.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is advisable to consult your specialist at Bainbridge Eye Care.
