Presbyopia is a visual condition induced by the aging process.
Fun Fact: presbyopia is the Greek word for “old eye.”
When you are young, the lens of your eye is soft and flexible. This flexibility allows the lens to change shape easily which in turn lets you focus on objects that are close.
As we age, the once soft and flexible lens of the eye becomes increasingly rigid. This rigidness makes it more difficult to focus on objects that are near, inducing an age-related farsightedness we call presbyopia.
Symptoms of presbyopia include:
  • Difficulty reading fine print
  • Eyestrain
  • The need to hold reading material farther than arm’s distance
  • Difficulty seeing objects close to you

How is Presbyopia Corrected?

Presbyopia can be corrected with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.
In the domain of eyeglasses, individuals with presbyopia can choose reading glasses (which have a single prescription that is uniform throughout the lens), bifocals (which have a reading portion at the bottom of the lens with a visible line where the prescription changes), or progressive lenses (which have a reading portion at the bottom of the lens with no visible line).
Contact lens options include monovision (wearing a contact lens for reading in one eye) or multifocal lenses (think of these as a bifocal or progressive lens in the form of a contact).
If you have any questions about corrective options for presbyopia, contact us at Williams Eye Works.