VISION OVER 40 - PRESBYOPIA

Presbyopia is a condition that arises around 40 years of age when most people face difficulty/ trouble seeing near objects or do near tasks with difficulty like reading the fine print or text messages on the phone.

Even if one has never had to wear glasses before or had 6/6 (20/20) vision, vision is likely to change when one hits 40s (or older). As one grows older, so does our eyes. In Greek, presbyopia means “old eyes”.

As it is related to ageing, there is virtually no way to prevent it hence everyone will have Presbyopia, sooner or later. This assumes significance as due to modern healthcare facilities, life expectancy is getting better means increasing number of the world’s population today and going forward will be presbyope.

The rates of presbyopia are on the rise globally. Worldwide, an estimated 1.3 billion people had presbyopia in 2011. This number is expected to increase to 2.11 billion by 2020.

Though presbyopia is a normal change in our eyes as we age, it can be a significant and emotional event because it’s a sign of ageing that’s impossible to ignore and difficult to hide.

Cause of presbyopia

Presbyopia is caused as the natural lens inside the eye, which is meant to change its shape and provide clear vision for near is unable to do so effectively due to gradual thickening and loss of flexibility. As a result, near vision becomes blurred.

Signs and symptoms of presbyopia

1) The effects that presbyopia can have on the vision happen gradually. Presbyope is unable to see near objects like reading materials such as books, magazines, smartphones clearly. 2) Presbyopes become more sensitive to

light.

3) Presbyopia can cause headaches, eye strain and visual fatigue, blurred vision etc.

Presbyopia correction

Although presbyopia can’t be reversed, it is very easy to correct. However, it is important to understand that there are various ways to correct presbyopia. It can be corrected with the help of eyeglasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery. Eyeglasses are the most popular method of presbyopia correction.

Eyeglasses

Presbyopia isn’t a stand-alone condition. It is possible to experience upclose reading vision loss as well as another type of eye condition, like myopia or hyperopia, all at once. If one had myopia and later developed presbyopia, one may experience diminished vision at both near and far distances. Wearing reading glasses alone can help correct the vision from up close but won’t improve far vision very much.

Eyeglasses are simple, safe way to correct vision problems. Eyeglasses with progressive lenses or multifocal lenses are the most popular solution for presbyopia. These line-free multifocal lenses restore clear near vision and provide excellent vision at all distances, regardless of other types of refractive errors you may have in addition to presbyopia.

While progressive lenses are the lens of choice, another option is eyeglasses with bifocal lenses. Bifocals come with their own set of limitations as they cause image jump, do not cover intermediate distance and are not cosmetically appealing.

As presbyopes are more sensitive to light and glare due to ageing changes in their eyes. Photochromic lenses, also known as light adaptive lenses and darken automatically in sunlight, are a good choice for them. They are available in all lens designs, including progressive lenses and bifocals.

Simple reading glasses is another choice. Unlike bifocals and progressive lenses, which most people wear all day, reading glasses are worn only when needed to see close objects and small print more clearly. Reading glasses are recommended in case one is wearing contacts for distance vision.

However, with modern lifestyle where we use our smartphones regularly, do reading and writing, use desktops, laptops, Ipads and want to see distance vision clearly at the same time without the hassle of maintaining multiple pairs or putting on/taking glasses at regular interval, eyeglasses with progressive lenses are the lenses that suit the most.

Regardless which type of eyeglasses one chooses to correct presbyopia, definitely consider lenses that include antireflective coating (AR coating).

Additionally, blue light is a High Energy Visible (HEV) light which is emitted commonly from electronic gadgets, LEDs (energy efficient lighting option), progressive lenses with blue light blocking capabilities will help.

Presbyopia can be diagnosed by a basic eye examination which includes a refraction assessment and an eye health exam. The optometrist will use various instruments and several lenses to test the distance and near vision.

Visit an optometrist at the nearest Rivoli EyeZone to know more about presbyopia and the latest options in progressive designs that suit your lifestyle needs.

Eyeglasses are a simple, safe way to correct vision problems. Eyeglasses with progressive lenses or multifocal lenses are the most popular solution for presbyopia.” 2.11b people are expected to develop presbyopia by 2020.