Options for treating the vision problem that occurs around age 40
If you find yourself holding reading materials farther and farther away to see them more clearly, then you’re like experiencing a condition called presbyopia. It’s a normal part of aging and usually shows up around the time you turn 40 years old. There are several things you can do to treat this condition and reduce the eyestrain or headaches that usually accompany it.
Readers
Over-the-counter reading glasses are usually the first purchase made by people to treat their presbyopia if they haven’t had their vision corrected before. You may need to try on several pairs to determine the power of magnification that works best for you. Start with the lowest number and move up from there.
Office Progressives
Some patients get progressive lenses that are perfect for computer work and up-close vision. Usually, you don’t wear these outside of work.
Bifocals & Trifocals
Bifocals have lenses with a visible horizontal line that separates your distance prescription with your reading prescription. Users look above the line for distance and below the line for reading. Trifocals are similar to bifocals, only they have a zone for middle vision for computer work.
Contact Lenses
If you don’t want to wear glasses, contact lenses may be another option. If you have overall good vision outside of presbyopia, contact lenses may not work for you.
Intraocular Lenses
Patients with presbyopia can benefit from the latest innovations in lens implant technology to help dramatically reduce or eliminate the need for glasses. Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are implantable lenses that restore vision by inserting an artificial lens in front of the natural lens. IOLs also can replace the natural lens for cataract patients. The majority of patients at Papale Eye Center report high satisfaction with IOLs to correct presbyopia.
Presbyopia develops gradually, and there’s no way to stop or reverse the normal aging process that causes it. To learn more about your options for presbyopia, schedule your next eye exam by contacting our Springfield office today at (413) 782-0030.
