Presbyopia : ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
Do you find it difficult to read small print or text? Do you have trouble focusing on objects near you? Even those of us who haven’t experienced any vision problems in our lives will likely begin to notice these signs and symptoms as we approach our 40’s because of Presbyopia.
Presbyopia can manifest in many ways, which often makes diagnosis a bit difficult. However, as we get older it is possible that these symptoms might be a sign of the eye condition.
Learn more about the signs and symptoms, as well as the different solutions below.
Symptoms
There are some tell-tale signs and symptoms to look out for if you think you have presbyopia or know someone experiencing it. Some of these symptoms may have even started to become bothersome or severe enough to affect your daily activities. Can you relate to any of these?
Solutions
Although presbyopia is unavoidable, there are many corrective solutions available today. Each solution has its own advantages and disadvantages so it is recommended to consider your health and lifestyle in deciding what the best solution is for you.
presbyopia: busting the myths
Myth 1: Eye muscle exercises prevent presbyopia
Fact: Presbyopia is due to aging and loss of elasticity of the lens, making it harder for the eye to focus on close objects. This happens for most people after 40 and there is no exercise or dietary supplement to slow down this process.
Myth 2: Farsightedness is the same as presbyopia
Fact: Farsightedness (hyperopia), is a condition opposite of nearsightedness or myopia. People with hyperopia have difficulty focusing up-close due to a shorter eyeball length (where the light focus behind the retina instead of on it), where presbyopia is a result of the eye aging and losing its ability to focus for near vision.
Myth 3: I can buy off-the-shelf readers or reading glasses to read
Fact: Off the shelf readers usually come only in plus powers only, have the same power for both eyes and comes in steps of +0.50 D. If you have different powers for both eyes, have astigmatism or are short-sighted, the readers will not be suitable for you, and might cause blur vision or headaches.
Myth 4: Using progressives lenses early lead to early presbyopia
Fact: Progressive lenses are lenses which don’t have a visible line, and they offer a more gradual transition between the distant and close portions of the prescription, helping the eye to focus on distance, intermediate or near objects. Using them only helps in reading up-close or seeing far clearly. They will not cause you to become “presbyopic” earlier.
Myth 5: Presbyobia and myopia “cancel out” each other
Fact: Some people in their 40s might have the impression that myopia cancels out or prevents presbyopia as they can read once they remove their glasses. They will then not realize that they have already developed presbyopia.
The other misconception is that myopia “improves” after you get presbyopia. Some people will find that they are able to see far objects clearer as they get presbyopic. This is caused by the reduction of the tension in the crystalline lenses in the eye as the ciliary muscles weaken, resulting in the reduction of pseudomyopia.
Visit Our Experts
It is always better to consult your eyecare practitioner such as optician/optometrist if you want to know more about presbyopia and the solutions available to you.