What Is Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is an age-related refractive condition that makes near vision more difficult. It results from changes in the eye’s natural lens, which is soft and flexible in younger people. With age, the lens and surrounding muscles lose flexibility, making it harder to focus on near objects and causing them to look blurred.
When does it occur?
Presbyopia develops gradually. It often becomes noticeable in the early to mid-forties and continues to progress until around the age of 65. Hyperopia and some conditions, including diabetes, multiple sclerosis and cardiovascular disease, may increase the risk of earlier presbyopia in people under 40.
Presbyopia may begin with an addition of around +0.75 and increase by approximately +0.50 every three to five years. Near additions commonly reach about +2.50 by age 60–65 and +2.75 to +3.00 after age 70, although individual needs vary.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptom is difficulty seeing near objects clearly, especially while reading. Eye strain after reading, headaches and difficulty with everyday tasks may also occur. Symptoms can be more noticeable when you are tired or in low light.
How is it managed?
A routine eye examination can diagnose presbyopia, and vision can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Multifocal contact lenses for presbyopia are designed to provide clear vision at near, far and intermediate distances.
With presbyopia, the near-vision addition in a glasses or contact lens prescription is a positive number, such as +2.00, or may be described as Low, Medium or High. Ask your lens fitter or optometrist which option best suits your lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions: Presbyopia
Presbyopia is the gradual reduction in the eye’s ability to focus at near distances because of natural age-related changes in the lens.
It usually becomes noticeable after age 40, when reading requires more distance or brighter light.
Yes. Multifocal lenses and other fitting strategies can support near and distance vision after an individual trial.
Presbyopia is an age-related reduction in near focusing, while hyperopia is a refractive error that may be present from a younger age.
A fitting assesses the balance of near and distance vision, comfort and adaptation to everyday visual demands.
