Cause
The lens of the eye needs to change its length or shape to focus on smaller objects, or objects that get closer or further away. This is called the elasticity of the lens. This elasticity is slowly lost as people age. The result is a slow decrease in the ability of the eye to focus on nearby objects.
People usually notice the condition at around 45, when they realize that they need to hold reading materials further away in order to focus on them.
Presbyopia is a natural part of the aging process and it affects everyone.
Symptoms
- Focusing ability for near objects decreases
- Eyestrain
- Headache
Possible Treatment Options
- Multifocal Glasses
- Contact Lenses
- Monovision Lasik (Monovision LASIK surgery is the most recent development in presbyopia treatment. Rather than using glasses or contacts to achieve monovision, Lasik surgery can permanently correct one eye for distance vision and the other for near vision, allowing patients to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses and contacts.)
- Refractive lens exchange (view related Blog article in this newsletter for an insight into the procedure)
Where to find help
Call the ophthalmologist of your choice (see Cape Town list here: http://capeeyelaser.co.za/surgeons/index if you have eye strain or are less able to focus on close objects.
Prevention
There is no proven prevention for presbyopia.