How do I know if I have Presbyopia?
If you are in your 40’s or 50’s and are noticing that objects up close appear somewhat blurry and unfocused, you may be experiencing the early symptoms of presbyopia. One of the most common vision conditions affecting middle-age to older individuals is presbyopia. It is often the reason why people need bifocals, trifocals, or reading glasses to see close objects and small print more clearly as we age.
Presbyopia is characterized by a progressive loss of elasticity in the crystalline lens and loss of power of the muscles that move it inside the eye, resulting in the inability to focus properly for both distance and near vision. The condition is a natural and normal part of the aging process. Virtually everyone will be affected by it at some point in their lives. Here are some questions to consider which could indicate the beginning of presbyopia:
- Are you finding it harder to focus clearly on the words and letters in books, newspapers, or receipts?
- Do objects at close distances seem blurrier, fuzzier, and generally more difficult to make out than they used to?
- Are you experiencing eyestrain or headaches while reading or trying to focus on objects at a close distance?
If you said yes to one or more of the above questions, presbyopia may be the cause. It is very important to have an eye exam by your eyecare professional to diagnose the problem. There are numerous treatment options for presbyopia, which range from simple reading glasses to advanced surgical treatments such as LASIK or laser cataract surgery to remove cataracts and simultaneously address presbyopia with multifocal lens implants. Dr. Helga F. Pizio or one of our eye care specialists at New Eyes can evaluate your needs and recommend the best presbyopia treatment if you are diagnosed with the condition.
In our next blog post, we will explore some of the many treatment options for presbyopia that can help you see near and distant objects much more clearly. Contact us today at New Eyes for more information on how we can correct your vision.