Presbyopia
Many people experience a change in vision in the beginning of mid-life. If you find yourself holding reading material farther away in order to focus, or if you experience eye strain or trouble reading in dim light, a common condition called presbyopia may be to blame. Diagnostic Eye Center in Houston is your trusted source of vision care for all stages of life and we have a range of presbyopia solutions to restore your vision.
What is Presbyopia?
Presbyopia (pres-bee-oh-pee-uh) is an age-related loss of near vision—basically, it is the reason that many people over the age of 40 reach for reading glasses. Presbyopia is a natural part of the aging process and affects as many as
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The prevalence and demographic associations of presenting near-vision impairment among adults living in the United States
Zebardast N, Friedman DS, Vitale S
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128 million
people in the U.S.
What Causes Age-Related Farsightedness?
Presbyopia affects people who already had refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, as well as those who have never had vision issues before. It happens because the lens of the eye becomes less flexible with age.
In order to have clear vision, light must filter through your cornea in the front of your eye, then through the lens of your eye, and finally to the retina at the back of the eye.
When we are young, the lens moves as we look around, constantly shifting so we can zoom in and out and see at different distances. As we age, the lens stiffens and cannot do as good of a job at zooming in and out. When this happens, reading and close-up tasks become more difficult.
Presbyopia Diagnosis
Your eye doctor can diagnose presbyopia during a routine eye exam. While reading glasses are available over-the-counter, we strongly recommend that you make an appointment to see us any time you have a change in vision. It is important to take care of your eye health, plus one of our eye doctors can explain all your treatment options.
Presbyopia Symptoms
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Presbyopia
National Eye Institute
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Symptoms
of presbyopia include:
- Difficulty with near vision when reading or doing up-close tasks
- Holding things further away in order to see them clearly
- Needing brighter light to read or see up close
- Eye strain or headaches
“I'm 42 and have worn glasses all my life. I had monovision Lasik with Dr Salem and am now seeing 20/15. Dr Salem took the time to discuss a plan of treatment that would work for me. Not a standard plan but a customized plan for my life. I can drive, I can see my children, I can work. Experience was wonderful, no surprises, only exceeded expectations.”
Presbyopia Treatments
There are a wide range of treatments available to help you regain your near vision. While reading glasses are often a first-line choice, some patients find them inconvenient for a busy lifestyle. Whether you are seeking a non-surgical option or a permanent solution for presbyopia, we can help.
Eyeglasses
The Houston Optical Shop at Diagnostic Eye Center carries designer eyeglass frames and state-of-the-art lens technology. We carry Varilux progressive lenses, which give a smooth transition between distances for clear, crisp vision with no visible lens line. Learn more about optical services.
Blended/Monovision
Monovision, also called blended vision, is a technique in which one eye is corrected for distance and one eye is corrected for near vision. For patients who are good candidates, this allows for clearer overall vision and less dependence on glasses. Blended vision can be performed temporarily with contact lenses or permanently with LASIK, PRK, or RLE.
Vuity Eye Drops
Vuity drops are the first eye drop that is FDA approved for the treatment of presbyopia. Vuity is a twice daily eye drop that can improve near vision for approximately six hours, which can enable you to be less dependent on glasses at work or while doing your favorite hobbies. Learn more about Vuity drops.
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
Refractive lens exchange, or RLE, is a vision correction surgery that uses the same technology as cataract surgery. In this surgery, the eye’s natural lens is replaced with a premium intraocular lens (IOL) that is customized to improve your unique vision.
Explore Presbyopia affordability.
Learn more about Insurance, financing, and payment options.
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions About Presbyopia
It is important to take care of your eye health by eating a balanced diet, protecting your eyes from the sun, and scheduling regular eye exams. However, there is nothing you can do to prevent presbyopia, which is a natural part of the aging process.
This varies, but most people begin to notice symptoms of presbyopia in their early to
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Presbyopia
Mayo Clinic
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mid-40’s.
Some people may not be bothered by symptoms until their 50’s, but presbyopia will get progressively worse until around the age of 65. Keep in mind that if you do not want reading glasses, we have other vision solutions for you!
Yes, because LASIK improves vision by correcting irregularities in the cornea, which is in the front of the eye. Presbyopia is caused by a dysfunction of the lens, which is a different part of the eye.
There are several factors to consider, including your lifestyle, medical history, and unique vision. Our eye doctors are happy to discuss all your options and help you figure out what treatment is right for you.
1 Zebardast N, Friedman DS, Vitale S. The prevalence and demographic associations of presenting near-vision impairment among adults living in the United States. Am J Ophthalmol. 2017;174: 134–144
2 National Eye Institute. Presbyopia. Available: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/presbyopia Accessed January 11, 2023.
3 Mayo Clinic. Presbyopia. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/presbyopia/symptoms-causes/syc-20363328#: Accessed January 11, 2023.
The doctors at Diagnostic Eye Center have reviewed and approved this content.
