Presbyopia
What is presbyopia?
Presbyopia is the loss of clear close-up vision that occurs naturally as people get older.
How does it occur?
Around the age of 40, the lenses of your eyes begin to lose elasticity and flexibility. If you have good vision for distant objects, you may find that you are unable to focus sharply on close objects. You may need to hold things farther away from your eyes to see them clearly.
What are the symptoms?
Presbyopia develops gradually. At first you may have blurred vision when you read or do close-up tasks such as threading a needle. Later you may not be able to read normal newsprint or book print without reading glasses or a magnifying glass and good lighting.
How is it diagnosed?
Your eye care provider can verify your condition during a regular visit.
How is it treated?
There is no treatment that can make your lenses flexible again. However, reading glasses, bifocals, trifocals, progressive lenses (no lines), and possibly contact lenses can help you see close-up objects. Recently, refractive surgery has also been used to correct presbyopia. Discuss these options with your eye care provider.
How long will the effects last?
Presbyopia is a permanent change that tends to worsen very gradually over time.
What can be done to help prevent presbyopia?
There is no known prevention. However, you can help protect your eyes and vision. Have your eyes checked regularly and schedule an appointment with your eye care provider if you notice any changes in your vision.
Reviewed for medical accuracy by faculty at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins. Web site: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/wilmer/
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