It's important to maintain your eye health and preserve your vision, particularly as you age. Among the most common eye problems in adults is presbyopia, or the graduated loss of near focusing capabilities. The issue can occur in those who are nearsighted, farsighted, and even those who have had no previous vision issues. Consult the guide below to learn more about presbyopia and what you can do about it.

What Do I Need to Know About Presbyopia? 

Causes & Symptoms

About 2 billion people have an eye problem known as presbyopia, a condition where the eye lenses naturally harden over time, causing inflexibility that interferes with light focusing properly on the retinas. As a result, objects appear blurry. This condition is a normal part of aging, with symptoms usually starting after age 40 and leveling off around age 65. Certain health issues increase the risk of presbyopia, including diabetes, as high blood sugar can damage the eyes.

The symptom of blurry vision typically requires you to hold objects farther away, such as books and magazines, in order to distinguish letters and words. In addition to experiencing blurred vision when you read at your normal, preferred distance, you'll also likely encounter eyestrain and headaches.

Treatments 

While there is no cure for presbyopia, management options are available that allow you to see clearly. After you are officially diagnosed by an optometrist, the doctor will probably recommend bifocals or progressive eyeglasses. Bifocal glasses feature thin lines in the middle, with the top half of the eyewear used for seeing far away and the bottom half used for viewing objects up close. Progressive lenses work similarly, but do not feature lines and transition between the two vision correction options as needed. 

Reading glasses might be enough to correct the problem, as they allow you to view objects up close. It also helps to read books, magazines, and documents with larger type, and use brighter reading lights. Severe cases of presbyopia can call for surgery, such as refractive lens exchange, in which your eyes' lenses are removed and replaced by flexible synthetic versions. 

For help with presbyopia or other eye problems, make an appointment with Progressive Vision Group in High Point, NC. The vision center provides a comprehensive range of services, including glasses, contact lenses, and eye exams, to keep local residents seeing clearly. Call (336) 841-2028 to schedule your appointment or learn more about services online.