A common misconception is that presbyopia is essentially the same thing as farsightedness. People think that you get farsighted as you get older and this is why you need reading glasses.
This is not true. Presbyopia is specifically a condition caused by aging wherein the lens of the eye loses flexibility, plus surrounding muscles become less effective at the same time.
Both presbyopia and farsightedness present challenges in clearly seeing things close up, such as small text on a page. But those who are farsighted can see things clearly at a distance. Having presbyopia does not grant this ability.
For most people, presbyopia will start being noticeable around age 40. The most common first sign of it is having difficulty reading the fine print.
There is no known means to stop this normal side effect of aging. Most people eventually get presbyopia. Those who are nearsighted usually have the fewest problems with this condition.
Corrective Lenses
For many people, the easiest and best solution is to purchase reading glasses. These are typically inexpensive and readily available without a prescription at most drug stores.
If you already use prescription corrective lenses for a different condition, you will need to see an eye doctor to get your prescription adjusted. If you need to be checked for Presbyopia in New Jersey, you can contact the Campus Eye Group in Hamilton.
One option is to get prescription reading glasses that work with your prescription contact lenses. Another option is to get bifocals.
Bifocals split the lens in two. The upper half will be designed for distance vision and the lower half will be designed for close up vision.
A third option for addressing the issue is monovision. This is where you are given one contact lens to help you see up close and another contact lens to help you see at a distance. It sounds a little odd, but the brain is surprisingly plastic and will eventually get used to relying on one eye over the other for different tasks.
Corrective Surgery
Surgical options include LASIK and intraocular contact lenses.
LASIK is used to create monovision instead of using contact lenses. You will eventually get used to relying on one eye for tasks involving near vision and the other for seeing things at a distance.
The last procedure replaces the lens of the eye with a synthetic lens that corrects for the condition. It will also correct for any other correctable vision problems you have.
If you are interested in learning more about surgical treatments for Presbyopia, please contact us today. We would be happy to assess your needs and discuss treatment options with you.
