Presbyopia is mainly linked to aging and causes difficulty in seeing up close, especially when reading small print. Although it is inevitable, several solutions exist to reduce its effects and preserve a good quality of life.
To see up close when you have difficulty, the eye muscles have to work harder. This can lead to fatigue similar to that felt after exercise. In addition, spending long hours reading or working on a screen without taking breaks increases eye fatigue.
Presbyopia: who is affected?
Presbyopia is a visual disorder affecting almost all people aged 40-45. The most common profiles are:
- Hyperopia: they perceive the first signs earlier, because their near vision is already impaired.
- Myopes: they can compensate for this loss by removing their glasses, thus making it easier to read up close.
However, approximately 40% of the population is affected by presbyopia, making it the most common visual disorder among adults.
Presbyopia: how to detect it?
Presbyopia manifests itself as a decreased ability of the eye to focus on nearby objects and read small print. This is due to a loss of flexibility of the lens which makes near vision more difficult. Common symptoms usually include:
- Difficulty reading small texts
- A need to move written material away to see better
- The need for better brightness to clearly see details
Symptoms of presbyopia also include dry eyes, tingling, and headaches. Its diagnosis is made by an ophthalmologist during simple and effective examinations:
- Refraction measurement : using an automatic refractor, the specialist evaluates the eye’s ability to focus.
- Near vision test : the doctor presents texts at different distances to analyze the ability to accommodate.
It is important to talk to your ophthalmologist about your reading habits and daily activities so that he can give you the correct correction.
Presbyopia: what treatments are available?
Presbyopia can be corrected in several ways, depending on individual needs:
- Glasses : Progressive lenses are often recommended because they allow you to see at different distances. Bifocals, while less common, are still a viable option.
- Contact lenses : multifocal lenses or “monovision” (one eye for distance and the other for proximity) are an alternative to glasses.
- Refractive surgery : there are also techniques such as Presbylasik which make it possible to reshape the cornea of the eye, or even to replace the lens with a so-called “multifocal” implant. This option is particularly interesting for those who prefer not to wear glasses.
Presbyopia: how to prevent its appearance?
Although presbyopia is an inevitable phenomenon, certain practices can still help preserve your vision:
- Regular consultations : Visit an ophthalmologist at least every two to three years, especially after age 45.
- Eye protection : protect your eyes from UV rays and blue light.
- Suitable glasses : Make sure your glasses meet your visual needs.
- Medical monitoring : Take care to treat health problems that could affect your vision, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
Added to this is a balanced diet and regular physical activity, which are also beneficial for eye health.
NAMELY
Screens make presbyopia more difficult by forcing the eyes to work harder to see up close, which tires them. They also emit blue light, which can irritate and dry the eyes. Finally, spending too much time in front of a screen without breaks reduces blinking, which worsens eye fatigue.
