Living with Presbyopia

Defined as the incremental loss of visual acuity that accompanies the advent of middle age, presbyopia is a condition that results in an inability to see nearby objects as clearly as in years past. The condition usually begins to manifest itself sometime in the forties and continues to accelerate until roughly the age of sixty. At one time, the only way to deal with presbyopia was to wear corrective lenses. Today, there is also the option of surgery that may help to restore at least a portion of the ability to see nearby objects clearly.

The first signs that presbyopia is developing often take the form of difficulty reading printed matter, such as a newspaper or book. The individual finds that it is necessary to hold the reading material further away in order to see the characters clearly. When held at a normal distance, it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish the letters and numbers printed on the page.

There is also a good chance the individual will notice that his or her eyes feel tired and sore at the end of the day. This is due to the extra strain placed on the eyes during the waking hours. It is not unusual for a headache to also accompany the stinging and tired feeling that are signs of eyestrain.

For most people, living with presbyopia means wearing some type of corrective lenses in order to compensate for the decreased function of the eyes. Some people are able to function by purchasing a pair of reading glasses at a local pharmacy. Essentially, these reading glasses are magnifying lenses that help to bring blurry objects into focus.

However, others may find that prescription lenses are necessary to compensate for the loss in visual acuity. When this is the case, an optometrist or ophthamologist will evaluate the current condition of the eyes and prepare a prescription that will make it easier to see clearly. Depending on the severity of the presbyopia, the lenses may be crafted as bifocals or trifocals.

As an alternative to glasses, the individual may choose to wear contact lenses. Along with bifocal contacts, there is also the option of what is known as monovision lenses. This is a set of contacts in which the lens for the non-dominant eye facilitates close-up vision, making it possible to enjoy activities such as reading. At the same time, the lens for the dominant eye helps to preserve distance vision. Working together, the two lenses help the individual enjoy a full range of vision.
Refractive surgery is also an option for some people dealing with presbyopia. There are several different approaches, with LASIK (laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis) and LASEK (laser epithelial keragtomilesus) being among the most common options. Patients may also opt for what is known as lens implants. With this procedure, a synthetic lens is placed into the eye, making it possible to experience an equitable range of vision. In the past, a number of complications have made the idea of implants unattractive to many people. However, enhancements in technology have minimized some of the risks and may be the ideal option for some people.