Presbyopia is an eye problem where the eyes start losing their ability to view the nearest objects. This condition is not a disease and it is common as a part of the ageing process. It begins at the 40s and it gradually increases till the age of 65. Many people confuse between farsightedness and presbyopia. But presbyopia is different from farsightedness.
Presbyopia occurs as the eye lens becomes less flexible as you get older. Due to this, the eye lens cannot change its shape and it cannot bend the light to focus it on the retina.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Presbyopia
The most common sign of presbyopia is the deterioration of your eyes to view the nearest objects. The other common signs of presbyopia include the following:
- Experiencing a headache after reading or after doing some close-up work
- Having difficulty reading letters printed in a small font
- Keeping a book or a newspaper a distance farther to make the letters visible clearly
- Need for a bright light while reading or doing some close-up activity
- Squinting
- Eye strain
The above signs are similar to farsightedness, but presbyopia is different from farsightedness and it should be properly diagnosed.
What Causes Presbyopia?
Presbyopia occurs as a part of the ageing process. In the healthiest state of eyes, the light that enters through the eyes passes through the cornea and then to the pupil. After passing through the pupil, the light passes through the lens. The lens changes its shape to bend or refract the light rays to focus on the retina. The retina then transfers the light into signals to the brain and the brain identifies them as images. The lens is soft and more flexible at a young age and they can easily change their shape.
But as you get older, the muscles around the lens become tight and the lens begins to lose its elasticity and loses its flexibility. This makes the eye lens to put more pressure to view the nearest objects. Along with this, the proteins that form the eye lens also become harder with age. This also contributes to the lesser flexibility of your eye lens.
The following are also some of the risk factors for developing presbyopia:
- Poor nutrition
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Anemia
- Exposure to sunlight
- Early menopause
- Poor blood flow or vascular insufficiency
- Use of some over-the-counter medications
- Certain diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular diseases
In some cases, presbyopia can occur at an early age, before you reach your 40s. This can be an indication of some underlying health condition.
How is Presbyopia Diagnosed?
If you have any signs of presbyopia, then you should consider visiting an eye specialist. If you are close to your 40s, you should have an eye exam even if you do not experience any signs. The doctor will conduct an eye exam to look for any signs of eye problems and vision changes. The doctor will also put special eye drops to dilate your pupils to look at the inside of your eyes. You may have blur vision for a few hours after dilating your eyes.
You should have frequent eye check-ups as you reach your 40s if you have a higher risk of developing eye diseases.
What are the Treatment Options for Presbyopia?
Presbyopia cannot be cured, but however, there are several treatment options to improve the vision. The use of eyeglasses is a simple and safe way to improve your vision. The different types of eyeglasses include:
- Use of non-prescription lenses while reading or for close-up work
- You can use prescription reading glasses if non-prescription reading glasses do not help
- Bifocals
- Trifocals
- Progressive lenses
- Monovision contact lenses
If you do not wish to use eyeglasses or contact lenses, then a surgical procedure is suggested by your doctor. Refractive surgery focuses on changing the shape of the cornea. There are different types of refractive surgery such as:
- Conductive keratoplasty
- Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
- LASIK (Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis)
- LASEK (Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy)
Get Relieved from Vision Problems by Consulting Doctors at Think Eye Hospital
If you are experiencing vision problems that are affecting your daily activities, contact Think Eye Hospital today. Think Eye hospital is one of the best eye care centers in Hyderabad, offering a wide range of treatments for several eye problems. We conduct an eye exam and other eye scans to determine the health of your eyes. The tests help us determine the right treatment for your condition. To discuss your condition with us, book an appointment and know how we can help you.
