All about presbyopia: symptoms, treatment & right glasses
As most people reach their mid-40s, it is fairly common to experience difficulty focusing on nearby objects. Small text, in particular, becomes increasingly hard to read. Not everyone goes through it but if you have started to notice these changes, you can expect it to worsen until you reach your mid-60s. This common eye problem is called presbyopia, and it is a normal part of the aging process.
What Is Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a steady deterioration of your vision when it comes to objects that are up close.
What Is the Main Cause of Presbyopia?
The general cause of presbyopia is nothing more serious than plain aging. But to go into more technical detail, presbyopia is the result of the hardening of your eye's lenses. In a perfectly healthy eye, the lens adjusts its shape to enable you to see nearby objects clearly. But as you get older, your lenses gradually lose flexibility and are no longer capable of changing their shape as much.
Although age is the biggest factor that causes presbyopia, there are also other contributing factors that might increase your risk of developing the condition. Medical conditions, like diabetes, heart problems, and multiple sclerosis can accelerate the aging process, causing you to develop presbyopia even in your 30s. The use of certain medications such as antihistamines and antidepressants can also increase one's susceptibility.
Symptoms of Presbyopia
The earliest symptoms of presbyopia are very mild and hardly noticeable. When you start noticing the changes in your vision, presbyopia has already progressed considerably. A couple of signs that you should watch out for after your 40th birthday are blurry vision at your normal reading distance, or the need to hold text at arm's length for you to be able to read it clearly.
During the early stages of presbyopia, it is also common to experience headaches and eyestrain after extensive close-up work, like working on the computer, reading, or drawing. These symptoms can be magnified if you are working in a place with low lighting.
Treatment of Presbyopia
The best treatment for presbyopia is one that has been prescribed by an eye doctor. So if you have been experiencing any of the symptoms above, it is advisable to get your eyes checked to identify the problem.
1.Reading Glasses
With that being said, many individuals who have mild presbyopia do not actually see a doctor. Instead, they opt to purchase over-the-counter reading glasses which help them see better up close. You can find ready-made reading glasses in pharmacies, groceries, or even online.
However, this would only work if your presbyopia is still in the low grades. Otherwise, you will really need to get a prescription and have reading glasses made that are perfectly suited for your eyes.
2.Contact Lenses
If you don't want to wear eyeglasses for whatever reason, contact lenses are another option. This can be tricky though, if you have other vision problems to correct. In this case, you can use bifocal contacts or modified monovision contacts, both of which might take quite a bit of adjusting before your eyes get used to them.
3.Surgery
There are now many kinds of refractive surgical procedures that can correct the shape of the cornea and restore up-close vision. Currently, we have conductive keratoplasty, photorefractive keratectomy, LASIK and LASEK. These procedures are not reversible and might cause side effects so it is vital that you discuss these options with your eye doctor before you make a decision.
Glasses for Presbyopia
The right glasses for your particular case would depend on whether presbyopia is your only concern or if there are other vision concerns that you want to correct. If you really just need help with the presbyopia, regular reading glasses would do very nicely. You will only have to wear these glasses when you are reading or doing other close-up work.
If you are also nearsighted or farsighted, you might require bifocals, or lenses with two different grades separated by a horizontal line. There are also the much rarer trifocals for three corrections, progressive multifocal that have no visible lines between the different lens grades, and office progressives.
No matter what type of glasses you would need to correct your presbyopia, it is important to choose the right frame with the perfect fit, sufficient comfort for extended use, and of course, the right design to match your own sense of style. Here are some of our favorite glasses for presbyopia that you might want to consider.
1.Elizaveta - Oval Glasses
The classic look of solid black glasses in a timeless oval frame will never be out of fashion. If you want a pair of reading glasses that can easily withstand the constant trend changes, the black Elizaveta glasses are the perfect choice. Made of lightweight TR90, it offers both durability and comfort for everyday use.
2.William - Rectangle Glasses
Another favorite of ours is the classy and sassy William rectangular glasses, with its charming pink and gold combination and the dainty embellishments along the top of the frame. Suitable for women of all ages, this pair features a medium-sized frame and is very lightweight. It's easy to carry around and comfortable to wear.
3.Arthur - Square Glasses
For the stylish professional who knows how to strike a balance between work and play, the Arthur reading glasses in black, yellow, and tortoiseshell are a must-have. The square frame with a sensible thickness is just right for any kind of lens. Whether you need regular prescription reading glasses or you prefer progressive bifocals, these glasses can do the job.
4.Dylan - Oval Glasses
Glasses for presbyopia need not be boring – far from it in fact. We have included the Dylan oval glasses to the list specifically because of their fun and stylish green stripes pattern. If you're not a fan of green, you will be pleased to know that the stripes design also comes in red and blue. The oval shape of these glasses flatters most faces so this could be the ideal reading glasses you are looking for.
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