Presbyopia: Understanding Age-Related Near Vision Changes

Presbyopia is a natural age-related change that makes it harder to see things up close clearly. It commonly becomes noticeable from around the age of 40, although some people may notice changes earlier. It can affect everyday activities such as reading, using your phone, checking menus or working on close-up tasks.

How does presbyopia affect vision?

When we look at something up close, the lens inside the eye changes shape to help focus light onto the retina.

As we age, the lens gradually becomes less flexible, while the ciliary muscles that control the lens also gradually lose some of their ability to adjust it for near vision. This makes it harder for the eyes to focus on close-up objects, resulting in blurred near vision.

What are the common symptoms?

You may notice:

· Blurry vision when reading or looking at things up close

· Holding reading material farther away to see clearly

· Eye strain or tired eyes

· Headaches after close-up work

How do glasses help?

Presbyopia is commonly corrected with prescription glasses, including single-vision reading glasses, progressive lenses and occupational lenses.

Reading glasses are designed specifically for near vision and are especially useful for prolonged reading and other close-up tasks. However, they need to be put on and taken off when switching between near and distance vision.

Progressive lenses are a convenient option for seeing at different distances. They have distance vision at the top of the lens and progressively change to near vision towards the bottom. This allows you to see clearly at different distances without constantly removing your glasses.

Occupational lenses are designed for intermediate and near vision, making them ideal for people who spend long hours at a computer and regularly switch between looking at a screen and reading documents. They cannot be used for distance vision, but are a great option for a full day of computer work and close-up tasks.

Presbyopia is a normal part of ageing. As you get older, your prescription may increase as your eyes' ability to focus up close gradually changes.

Wearing your prescribed glasses does not make your presbyopia worse or cause your prescription to increase. Glasses are simply an optical aid that helps focus light correctly so you can see clearly.

See clearly and comfortably

If you're finding yourself holding your phone or reading material farther away, increasing the font size, or struggling to focus on small print, it may be time for an eye check, especially if you're experiencing frequent headaches or eye strain.

Visit us for an eye examination and speak with our team about the right vision solution for your needs. Whether you need help with reading, computer work or seeing clearly at multiple distances, we're here to help you find an option that fits comfortably into your daily life.

Clear vision at every age starts with understanding your eyes.