Trouble Seeing Up Close? Here’s What You Need to Know About Presbyopia
If you’ve reached your 40s, you may notice your vision isn’t what it used to be. Near tasks like reading a book, scrolling through social media, sewing clothes, and more may be much more challenging due to a lack of focus; you may have to move what you’re looking at farther away to see better. This is known as presbyopia and is an inevitable part of aging. It affects around 128 million people in the US and is one of the most common age-related conditions in the country.
Though presbyopia affects everyone, it can feel daunting and confusing when your vision declines. Knowing more about the condition can help you better understand your eye health and what you can do to address and correct it. Here’s what you need to know about presbyopia:
Table of Contents
What causes presbyopia?
The clear lens of your eye that sits behind the iris focuses light into your retina so you can see. It’s soft and flexible when you’re younger, so it can change shape easily, helping you see up close and at a distance. However, it becomes more rigid with age, which is why close-up activities become difficult to focus on since the lens doesn’t easily change shape. Aside from aging, health conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and multiple sclerosis can increase the risk of presbyopia and earlier onset. Certain drugs like antidepressants, antihistamines, and diuretics are also associated with early presbyopia symptoms.
Treatment options
Reading glasses
Reading glasses are a common and simple solution for correcting presbyopia, and there are many types available. Near-vision reading glasses are meant to correct presbyopia and are typically worn only when doing near tasks. You can get them over-the-counter in drug stores, pharmacies, and groceries if you don’t need a strong magnification, but a prescribed pair from an eye doctor can help if you have different prescriptions for each eye. Bifocals and trifocals have different prescriptions for different distances; bifocals have two for near and distance viewing, while trifocals have near, mid-range, and far vision prescriptions. There are dividing lines between each one. Progressive reading glasses are similar in that they have multiple prescriptions, but the transition between each one is more gradual. These modern reading glasses can be bought online. Foster Grant’s selection of Multi Focus readers, including the Camden and McKay models, are easy to customize to your vision needs. You can wear them all day without having to put them on and remove them since they correct vision at various distances.
Contact lenses
If glasses aren’t your style, contact lenses are also a corrective option for presbyopia. Multifocal contact lenses act similarly to progressive reading glasses by incorporating multiple prescriptions in one lens. They’re a convenient choice for all kinds of activities and for viewing at different distances. Options like the Clariti multifocal contact lenses are also equipped with features, such as the comfort edge technology and WetLoc Technology, to maintain comfort and hygiene for more freedom. New innovations like spiral contact lenses are also being developed to make the transitions between prescriptions more seamless and prevent distortions and halos associated with multifocal contact lenses. Wearing single-vision lenses with different prescriptions—one for distance and one for near viewing—is also an option; the brain learns to switch eyes depending on the task.
Eye drops
Eye drops are a newer corrective option that can aid those with mild to moderate presbyopia. These eye drops contain medication that constricts the pupil’s size, allowing for better focus for near tasks. This allows you to avoid wearing eyewear like reading glasses or contact lenses. However, the effect is temporary, and results may vary depending on your prescription and vision errors.
How to watch your eye health
Eat a healthy diet
A healthy and balanced diet offers many health benefits, including for your eyes. Antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin are especially beneficial for eye health. They’re found in great amounts in leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach, and mustard greens, and other sources include summer squash, pumpkins, and avocados. Foods rich in vitamin A—carrots, sweet potatoes, and eggs—and C—citrus fruits, bell peppers, and strawberries—are also helpful for improving your eye health and its functions.
Manage screen usage
The rise of digital devices for work and leisure has been linked to issues like eye strain, which happens when your eyes are focused on a near object, like a phone or computer, for a prolonged period. Though fatigue from looking at a device is temporary, it can exacerbate the vision issues from your presbyopia and make it more difficult to focus. Be conscious of your digital habits to avoid the impact of digital eye strain and presbyopia on your vision. Take regular breaks to give your eyes a chance to rest and refocus. You can also adjust your device settings, such as font size, brightness, and contrast, to reduce strain and fatigue and provide a more comfortable experience.
Regular eye exams
Your presbyopia progresses with age, so vision changes will be more frequent or noticeable after your 40s. Undergoing regular eye exams can help you keep track of these changes and ensure you get the appropriate correction for your presbyopia. You may need to get a stronger prescription or magnification to see clearer, which your eye doctor can update. Routine check-ups can also help spot symptoms of eye conditions early, allowing for prevention or treatment to keep them from progressing. An annual test is ideal for older adults or if you’re at high risk of an eye disease.