What is Presbyopia?
Why can’t I see up close anymore?
You may fondly remember the days you could see up close and far away without difficulty. Then, for a while, you may have thought the lighting in the restaurant was too dim, or the font on the menu was too small. But now, you are struggling to see your cell phone.
Chances are, if you are older than 40 and have no other medical issues like uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure, you have presbyopia.
Presbyopia is simply what happens when your eyes start to lose their youthful ability to focus at will. You have a lens in your eye that starts out quite pliable. It can accommodate changes from near to far quickly by changing in shape. As you age, that lens becomes more rigid, until eventually, it can no longer change shape at all. This makes it harder to focus on small things up close.
There is no way to prevent presbyopia, but it can easily be treated. Often, the only thing needed is glasses!
Many people without other vision issues like nearsightedness or farsightedness can use over-the-counter glasses called reading glasses or cheaters. These are meant to be worn only when you need them and drugstores carry powers ranging from +1.00 to +3.50 diopters. A diopter is just a unit of measurement for the focusing power of the lens. The lower the number, the weaker the lens. People with presbyopia typically need the + lens to see closer.
If you are still working or have other hobbies, you should see your eye doctor. Your job may require you to perform tasks like looking at your computer screen (ideally placed 18-24 inches away) to your paper or phone, which may be closer. Do you do small crafts like bead-work or needlework? What about working under a car?
When you have multiple distances you need to focus, a lens more specific to you can help you see better. That’s where Family Eye Care can help! Your doctor can create a lens-specific to the things you do throughout your day.
You may also benefit from different glasses for different tasks. For example, if you work on computers all day you can use one pair at work but may find that pair doesn’t work well for reading a book at home.
Other options include bifocal, trifocal, or progressive lenses. Bifocals and trifocals have a line in them where the higher diopter (more focusing power) ends and a lower one begins. Many people prefer progressives, where there is no line. Progressives and trifocals have the unique ability to have more than two focusing powers, often with distance vision, intermediate vision, and near vision. This means you may be able to use one pair of glasses for almost everything you do.
If you don’t like the idea of wearing glasses, there are multifocal contact lenses as well!
There is no perfect way to make sure you can see better on your own. That’s why a consultation with your eye doctor can make a huge difference. Your doctor will ask you a variety of questions about what you do at work and home so they can determine which distances will work best for you. They will also give you more information about glasses and contact options.
If you know your screen is closer or farther than most, or perform very specific hobbies, ask someone to measure the distance between your eyes and your work. Your doctor can use that information when creating your personalized prescription.
Ready to see better?
Contact Family Eye Care today!
Contributed by:
Amanda Ernst, MSN, RN, CEN
