Presbyopia

You may be experiencing presbyopia if you have any of these symptoms:

• Blurry Near Vision
• Holding reading material further away
• Fatigue when reading or on computer
• Eye strain and headaches

What is presbyopia?

Presbyopia is an age-related condition that is caused by the loss of elasticity in the lens inside the eye. When we are young it is very flexible – we can exert pressure on the suspensory ligament (called the ciliary body) that holds the lens in place behind the retina to force the lens into a squatter, fatter shape, thereby making the lens more powerful and enabling us to focus easily up close. By age 40 it gets to the point where we have to start holding reading and other close tasks out at arm’s length to see them clearly.

How can presbyopia be corrected?

Presbyopia can be corrected in a number of ways. If the distance vision is fine, a pair of glasses to be worn for close-up tasks only can be made.

Bifocals or Multifocals can be made, so that the distance prescription is in the top of the lens, and stronger power (for reading) is in the bottom. This allows you to see clearly at different distances with the one pair of glasses.

How can Bifocals help me?

Bifocals have a distance lens with a window in the bottom for reading. You can see a line around the edge of the reading window, or “near segment”.

This is fine for clear vision in both the distance and near (within 40cms), but not satisfactory for “intermediate” distances, such as computer monitors or across a desk or counter.

Why are Multifocals reccomended?

Multifocals have power from the distance vision at the top of the lens becomes progressively stronger the lower you look through the lens. The full reading power is at the bottom of the lens. This transition of power allows sharp focus at any distance from the eye, rather than just 2 distances with Bifocals.

Multifocals are the much more common option of the two today.