Presbyopia is a widespread form of ocular aging that begins to noticeably affect our near vision between the ages of 40 and 50. As an unpreventable condition, the onset of presbyopia is an inevitable part of growing older that will affect everyone, even those who have always had perfect vision and including those who may already suffer from cataracts.
At Seeta Eye, our Poughkeepsie and Yorktown Heights eye doctors have years of experience working with presbyopic patients, and we offer a range of advanced corrective treatment options to help you manage your vision throughout your life.
To find out more about the diagnosis and treatment of presbyopia in Poughkeepsie, Yorktown Heights and nearby New York areas, please call (845) EYE-CARE today.
What causes Presbyopia?
Just behind the iris, the colored part of the eye, is a clear lens. Early in life, this lens is typically flexible. This flexibility helps us focus well on objects at various distances. As we age, however, the eyes’ lenses lose their elasticity. They become less flexible and, as a result, do not focus light through the eye as well as needed for clear near vision. Without adequate accommodation, it can become difficult to perform tasks like read labels.
No. In most cases, presbyopia has been found to progress only to a certain point. Most people start to notice the signs of this condition around age 40. Presbyopia may progress for several years but it usually stops around age 60. At that time, near vision may plateau. Having presbyopia does not mean vision will be lost. It also does not increase the risk of other eye diseases.
When should I contact a doctor for Presbyopia?
If you rely on reading glasses or bifocals and you would like something more convenient or permanent, you may want to talk to an ophthalmologist about treatment for presbyopia. This choice is completely up to you as the patient. Contact us whenever you are ready to explore your treatment options.
Diagnosing Presbyopia
Presbyopia refers to a loss of near vision that generally occurs as a result of the aging eye's crystalline lens becoming less flexible and therefore unable to make the fine adjustments needed to focus on things up close.
Common signs of the onset of presbyopia include:
- A tendency to hold reading materials at a further distance for better clarity
- Eyestrain, headaches or fatigue after performing close-up tasks
- Blurred vision or difficulty when viewing letters at closer ranges
Because presbyopia is natural part of the aging process, typically commencing around age 40 and progressing until about age 65, it's important to recognize the signs so you can seek appropriate diagnosis and treatment from your eye doctor.
How common is Presbyopia?
It is believed that nearly every adult will experience some degree of presbyopia at some point. This common age-related loss of lens accommodation is one of the leading reasons people wear reading glasses to perform up-close tasks like reading, stitching, or doing crafts.
Is Presbyopia reversible?
Once the eyes’ lenses begin to lose flexibility, there is no way to restore it. Vision correction is achieved through prescription eyeglasses in most cases. Seeing that the condition tends to progress over time, people may find that they need to increase the strength of their reading glasses every year or so. Presbyopia may also be treated with contact lenses, which may feel less cumbersome to active patients who prefer not to hassle with eyeglasses.
If you have been wearing eyeglasses for some time and are interested in a more permanent solution for presbyopia, you may consider laser vision correction. LASIK refractive surgery improves vision by reshaping the cornea so that light moves through the eye more precisely. Patients may also consider refractive lens exchange, a minor surgical procedure that replaces the inflexible lens with an ultra-thin artificial lens.
Presbyopia Treatment
Presbyopia is most commonly treated with the use of corrective eye glasses, however for Poughkeepsie patients who wish to avoid being dependent on bifocals or trifocals, presbyopia can also be treated with:
- Contact lenses (Monovision or Multifocal)
- Monovision LASIK
- Refractive Lens Exchange
The best way to determine which treatment option is right for you is for our experienced eye doctors to evaluate your needs during your personal appointment. The presbyopia treatment you pursue will not only depend on your physical requirements but your personal preferences, so it's important to understand the benefits and limitations of all of your available options before making a decision.
Contact Seeta Eye Today
To find out more about the diagnosis and treatment of presbyopia in Poughkeepsie and nearby areas, please contact Seeta Eye at (845) EYE-CARE today. Our experienced eye doctors also serve patients at our ophthalmology office in Yorktown.
