Presbyopia

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Presbyopia is a condition that occurs as a part of normal aging. Symptoms are usually noticeable by age 40 to 45 and continue to worsen until the process stabilizes around age 55 to 60. Symptoms include headache and eyestrain, blurry vision, and eye fatigue related to near work. Symptoms may be worse early in the morning or when individuals are tired. Dim lighting may also aggravate the problem. The major cause of presbyopia is loss of elasticity of the lens inside the eye. As the lens hardens, it is unable to focus the rays of light that come from near objects.  Individuals who are naturally nearsighted may avoid the effects of presbyopia by removing their distance correction for near work.

Those suffering from presbyopia have various options available to correct vision for both distance and near. Depending on your specific vision needs, you may benefit from several of the following treatment options:  

Glasses: The best vision is often found with multiple lens types for different activities.

• General-wear Multifocal: Available in lined bifocal/trifocal, or no-line progressive lenses, provides multiple focal distances for a great all-around lens.  May prove troublesome either optically or ergonomically for computer viewing.
• Computer Multifocal: Available in lined bifocal or progressive design, provides excellent focus and wide field of view for both intermediate and near.
• Single Vision Distance: Allows for sharp distance focus only.
• Single Vision Computer: Allows for sharp focus only at computer/intermediate distance.  Some patients may be able to see well at both computer and closer distances.
• Single Vision Near: Allows for sharp near focus only.  May need to lean in close to see the computer.

Contact Lenses: all options available in rigid or soft lens designs.

• Distance Only: Provides excellent distance focus, even for patients with moderate to high astigmatism. Will likely require glasses for computer/near work. Great option for sports or other activities requiring minimal near focus.
• Monovision: One eye is corrected for sharp distance viewing, with the other corrected to focus at near. Available for moderate to high astigmatism. May require glasses over contacts for driving or extended near work.   
• Multifocals: Both eyes are able to focus at both distance and near. Limited options available for high astigmatism. Improved depth perception and less reliance on reading glasses.

Refractive Surgery: similar options to contact lenses, but without hassle of contacts.  Refractive surgery can successfully treat even higher amounts of nearsightedness and astigmatism in appropriate patients.  Generally contraindicated for farsightedness.

• Distance Correction: Provides excellent distance focus. Will likely require reading glasses for computer/near work.
• Monovision Correction: One eye is corrected for sharp distance viewing, with the other corrected to focus at near. May require glasses for driving or extended near work. Before undergoing this procedure, contact lenses are used to simulate monovision to ensure proper patient adaptation.