Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a condition associated with the aging process of the eye that results in progressively worsening ability to focus clearly on close objects. Symptoms, like difficulty reading small print, are usually noticeable by the age of 45 and are a normal part of aging. Presbyopia is often confused with farsightedness, but the two are not the same. Farsightedness is caused by imperfections in the eye's shape, while presbyopia occurs when your eye's lens hardens with age.

Causes

Presbyopia is caused by an age-related process. This differs from astigmatism, nearsightedness and farsightedness, which are related to the shape of the eyeball and are caused by genetic and environmental factors. Presbyopia is caused by a hardening of the lens of your eye, which occurs with aging. As your lens becomes less flexible, it can no longer change shape to focus on close-up images. As a result, these images appear out of focus.

Symptoms

Symptoms of presbyopia include difficulty reading small print, having to hold reading material at arm's length, headaches, and eyestrain. Other conditions can cause similar symptoms, so it's important to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist to receive a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Presbyopia can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. In some cases, adding a bifocal or multifocal lens to your glasses or contact lenses can help. There are also surgical options to treat presbyopia.

See also

• Astigmatism
• Farsightedness
• Nearsightedness
• Optometrist
• Ophthalmologist

Presbyopia Resources
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