A gradual loss of the eye’s ability to focus on near objects, due to age. Most people start having trouble seeing small prints clearly between the ages of 35-40 and continues to worsen until around age 65. However, people who are long-sighted tend to develop presbyopia earlier than those who are short-sighted. The reason is that the natural lens has already adjusted to a particular position over time.
Do you experience these?
- A tendency to hold reading material farther away to make letters clearer?
- Blurred vision at a normal reading distance?
- Do headaches and brow ache after reading or doing close-up work?
- Difficulty performing near tasks such as threading a needle, picking stones from grains?
These are symptoms of presbyopia.
GUESS WHAT?
Your eyes rely on the cornea (the black eye) and the lens which is flexible, to form an image and bring it to a point of focus. This means that when you look at something at a distance the lens is relaxed and flat, but when you look at something nearby, the lens curves through the help of the muscles in the eye. These age-related changes (Presbyopia) occur over time within the lens, making the lens harder and less flexible. Hence, vision gets blurry while performing near tasks.
RISK FACTORS
- Age
- Medical conditions such as diabetes, heart diseases.
- Drugs like antidepressants, antihistamines.
Presbyopia is diagnosed by a basic eye examination.
IS THERE A REMEDY?
YES!
Its treatment option includes wearing corrective eyeglasses, contact lenses to improve vision.