Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a condition of the eyes where the flexibility of the crystalline lens of your eye is reduced or lost. This then makes it much harder to focus on objects or things that are close to you. It can appear to happen quickly but the real reduction in this flexibility actually happens over a longer period of time, sometimes years. Most people that experience this are generally at the age of forty or older.

This condition is a normal functioning of our natural aging experience of the eye. There is no need to worry because it is not considered to be a disease. Also, there is not much we can do about it because it can't be prevented from happening.

It has usually been believed to occur from a steady thickening of your eye lens. These changes to eyes and vision that are attributed to our age happen in our lens' proteins. This then makes our eye lens tougher and reduces elasticity over a period of time. Many changes in our body functions due to age occur in the fibers of our muscles that surround our eye lens. Our eye then has a much more difficult time focusing on objects due to the lower elastic qualities of our eyes.

Typical signs of this condition may include the desire to read things like books, magazines, articles, etc... Away from us at arms length. Also occasional blurry vision at typical reading distances may occur as well as fatigue or tiredness of the eye. Some people also experience headaches or migraines when performing work that is close to the eyes. Many optometrists will provide a very detailed exam that includes a test for this condition.

There are several ways to treat this condition. Some of them are not proven or endorsed, and many others have demonstrated tremendous success. These treatments range from corrective lenses, simple eye exercises and different surgical procedures. To assist in coping with this condition many providers will suggest or recommend the use of bifocals, trifocals, contact lenses or even basic reading glasses. Most of these items can easily be found in your local drug stores or supermarkets. They are relatively inexpensive and can provide immediate relief and resolution to your discomfort.

Since this condition may sometimes add to or irritate other eye conditions such as astigmatism, far sightedness and near sightedness your provider will figure out the exact prescription lens that should allow your vision to be comfortable as well as clear.

Sometimes you might only have to use your reading glasses when reading or performing other close tasks. Many people however prefer to use them regularly out of convenience. Using them routinely is actually a benefit to visual health.

Other treatments may include surgery. These different types of surgical procedures will vary in cost. Sometimes they are also performed on one eye only or one eye at a time, or both eyes together. Recuperation may last days, or sometimes weeks. It depends on the patient's compliance with the provider's instructions and the general health of the eye and the patient. The majority of these procedures are also done as an outpatient. So an overnight stay or admission to a treatment facility is not necessary or expected.

A specific example is conductive keratoplasty. This process uses radio waves to produce more roundness to the cornea. This will then create a greater plus prescription and can improve near sightedness. Generally this procedure will be done on only one eye and helps to improve mono vision. Also, LASIK surgery is an option. This process utilizes a laser to gently slice into the cornea of the eye. It helps to improve your vision on different levels and distances. It can also be used to generate mono vision. This is where one eye is fixed for near sightedness and the opposing eye is stronger for visual distance.

Some patients are also opting for intraocular lenses. This is typically used by patients that are having cataract surgery. This procedure sometimes helps them to receive clearer vision from many and different distances.

It is recommended that patients maintain regular appointments with their provider due to the fact that the effects of presbyopia will continually fluctuate with the instability of the crystalline lens. This will almost always cause the eye to not focus as it should. So it is important to check for the need for adjustments to your prescription, lenses or glasses so that you maintain eyesight that is both clear and comfortable.