Presbyopia is age-related farsightedness. It is an extremely common condition we develop as we age. It is so common, in fact, that over 3 million new cases are reported each year and affects nearly 25% of the population. One of the most common symptoms is not being able to focus clearly on objects close to you, especially when reading. But, of course, this happens to many of us and is just do to eye strain or other factors. The tell-tale sign of your blurred vision being caused by presbyopia is if when you move the item further away it becomes clearer.
So, if you have age-related farsightedness, you’re probably wondering if there’s a cure. Doctors and researchers have for decades experimented with eye drops designed to focus the lens, as well as with drugs meant to reverse or slow the aging of the eye, but so far neither of these have proven successful, meaning, for the time being, there is no cure that doesn’t involve surgery, but this does not mean you can’t treat it and live comfortably.
Surgery for Presbyopia
As far as surgery goes, the one that has garnered the most attention lately is a corneal implant. There are two variations of the treatment; corneal inlay and corneal onlay. This treatment improves reading and near-vision by inserting an optical device similar to a very small contact lens into the cornea of the eye. With the onlay procedure, the optical device is placed near the surface of the cornea on a part of the eye called the epithelium. With the inlay, the device is placed deeper in the cornea’s stroma, which is the eye’s thicker layer. While slightly more invasive, the inlay will generally produce a long-lasting and predictable result, though the inlay is less invasive and has fewer risks.
Another option is refractive surgery, similar to Lasik, during which the cornea of the eye is actually reshaped. This is a more drastic procedure and is often done in a monovision situation where one eye is treated for near-sightedness and the other for far-sightedness. Because of the complex nature of this treatment, your doctor may recommend trying monovision lenses before you proceed.
Other Treatments
Reading Glasses
To assist the eye in focusing on nearby objects, the treatment needs to compensate for the eye’s inability to do so. Reading glasses are the simplest treatment for presbyopia and do not require an expensive pair of prescription glasses. You do, however, want to get reading glasses with optical quality lenses, as these are much better for your eyes. Try different powers in the +1.00 to +4.00 diopter range until you are able to focus and read clearly at a comfortable distance. Here at Visualites, we show you how to choose the best type of readers to fit your face shape and personal preference.
Bifocals, Trifocals and Progressive Lenses
All of these glasses offer different corrective prescriptions in different parts of the lenses. The bifocal and trifocal are less expensive but will have a visible horizontal line separating the reading prescription from the distance viewing prescription. The progressive lens does not have a visible lines between the different focusing strengths. All of these types of lenses will require a prescription and can be very expensive. You will also have to work with an optometry shop to have the lenses put into glasses for you.
Contact Lenses
If you do not want to wear reading glasses or eyeglasses you can try contact lenses for presbyopia. However, this is not an option for many people, as it severely affects their distance viewing focus. There are newer types of bifocal contact lenses but these are not a popular choice.
We at Visualites understand the challenges of aging, especially in regard to the way it affects your vision and ability to read. That is why we have designed what we think is the perfect solution: designer lightweight reading glasses, compact in size and lightweight, complete with a durable case that makes them easy to keep with you safely. Visit our website to learn more about our glasses and view our full selection.
Sources:
Mayo Clinic
American Academy of Opthalmology
Review Of Opthalmology
Jerry Willis is the owner of Lumen Eyewear and the computer glasses and reading glasses brand Visualites. Jerry has years of experience in eyewear frame and lens design and manufacturing of eyewear and is a member of the Vision Council of the United States of America. Lumen Eyewear is also a FDA licensed manufacturer and importer of reading glasses and computer glasses. Visualites is dedicated to bringing its customers products that not only improve their vision but the health of their eyes.
