Understanding And Managing Presbyopia
As you age, you will experience various aches and pain throughout your body. These changes are a normal and natural part of the aging process. While you can decrease your risk of certain issues, avoiding all physical changes that occur with age is impossible. One of the most common complaints from people over the age of 40 is difficulty seeing. Presbyopia is the normal change of the eye's ability to focus, which decreases your ability to see clearly at close distances. With this guide, you will be able to understand and treat presbyopia.
Causes of Presbyopia
Genetics and different environmental factors contribute to the development of astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. Presbyopia stems from a thickening or wearing down of the lens. This change in the eye's lens occurs as you age.
Unfortunately, there is no way to stop the changes in your vision as you age, so it is important to learn the signs of this condition so treatment can decrease the risk of further vision loss.
Signs of Presbyopia
Each person is different so you may experience different symptoms of the condition as another person. However, if you are over 40 and experiencing the following, you most likely have presbyopia:
- Eyestrain or headaches after reading or viewing something up close
- Difficulty or inability to read small print
- Fatigue or exhaustion after reading or viewing print up close
- Constant squinting
- Need to use brighter light when reading or viewing small or close print
- Need to hold books, magazines, phones, or other items at arm's length to view
It is important to visit your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms. Continuing to struggle when reading or viewing things up close may cause further damage to your eyes, affecting your ability for a longer period of time.
Treating Presbyopia
Prescription eyeglasses are the most commonly used treatment for patients with presbyopia. If you opt for glasses, your doctor will suggest multifocal lenses, which improve your focus and overall vision no matter what distance you are viewing.
If you prefer contacts, ask your doctor about multifocal contact lenses. Available in both gas permeable and soft lens varieties, these contact lenses offer a comfortable and easy solution to restoring your focus and total vision. Choose from disposable lenses that are thrown away each day or traditional lenses that are cleaned and worn for an extended period.
Living with presbyopia is possible, but the impaired vision can affect your daily life. This guide and your optometrist's help will help you understand, diagnose, and treat your vision loss related to presbyopia.
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