Presbyopia (loss of near focusing ability associated with age)
“Presbyopia” is not a disease or illness. As we age, the performance of various organs would gradually degenerate the eyes as well. Presbyopia generally starts around age 40 or above. By this age, the collection of tiny eye muscles called ciliary muscles surrounding the eye’s lens begins to deteriorate. Resulting in increasingly inflexible lenses and disability to remain biconvex shape. Therefore, loss of eyes ability to focus precisely on nearby objects (about 30 cm).
Signs and Symptoms of Presbyopia
Inability to focus on the nearby object clearly or clear with effort or trying to see which generate the eyestrain including:
- Difficulty reading small print, having to hold reading material farther away as possible to adjust for a clear focus.
- Difficulty threading a needle, having to attempt to thread by putting effort, which develops the eyestrain.
- In nearsightedness patients, once presbyopia occurs, nearsighted eyes still see well up close if they remove their glasses.
Management and Treatment of Presbyopia
Some people misunderstand about treatment for presbyopia could worsen their eyesight, and once nearsightedness patients experience presbyopia, their sight will return to normal. These misinterpretations are incorrect and may cause unawareness of the following problems, including untreated presbyopia that significantly affects eye health, uncorrected vision, and activities in daily life. Therefore, when encountering presbyopia, seek for an ophthalmologist’s attention is recommended.
There are three treatment options available for presbyopia, including:
- Prescription glasses.
- Corrective contact lens.
- Refractive surgery.
Based on the above information, it could be concluded that presbyopia is naturally caused by changes in eye performance as we age. At present, there is no effective prevention for this disease. Moreover, presbyopia can appear to any eye conditions, whether nearsightedness, farsightedness, regular vision at before the age of 40 or even those who regularly take vitamins and eye care.
