Presbyopia is a condition of the eye that usually afflicts people over the age of forty, in fact the term come from the ancient Greek words meaning “elderly eye”. It appears as blurred vision especially when reading, using a computer, or doing similar activities. You cannot prevent the onset of presbyopia, it is a fact of old age, but it can be treated.
One of the first signs of the condition is when people have to hold reading material such as books and newspapers at arm’s length to be able to focus correctly on the words. If they need to concentrate their vision in this manner then they may suffer headaches from eye strain.
The causes for presbyopia are different than those that cause farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism. These eye complaints are mostly due to genetic factors or an irregular shape in the eyeball, while presbyopia is due to a change in the proteins present in the eye lens resulting in a thickening of the layer. Also it can be due to a weakening in the muscle fibers that surround the lens which causes a loss of elasticity.
To treat presbyopia and correct the vision it is possible to use eyewear or undergo surgery. If you choose eyewear then you can be given bifocal lenses or progressive addition lenses.
Bifocal spectacles have two different strengths within the lens – the lower part has the greatest strength for close up work, while the main part will have a prescription for better distant vision. Progressive addition lenses differ from bifocal lenses in so much that they have more gradual transition form one prescription strength to the other.
If your distant vision is fine, then you can choose to wear reading glasses whenever you require up close vision. These can also be used by people who have poor distant vision and wear contact lenses.
As we all age it is likely that the deterioration in the eye’s lens will get worse over time. For this reason whatever eye wear is prescribed will have to be increased in strength every so often.
It is now also possible to have surgery to counter balance the problems caused by presbyopia. One such option is Conductive Keratoplasty treatment; this involves an alteration of the curvature of the cornea through the application of radio waves. Another method is LASIK surgery, this changes the shape of the cornea through laser pulses.
For the most up to date information and the changes your eyes go through in life products, visit the presbyopia website today.