Vision After Age 40: Presbyopia Definition, Symptoms, & Treatments

Very interesting things happen after the age of 40 – namely, vision problems. If you've noticed that you need to hold your phone farther away to see clearly or have started increasing your screen's font size, you could have a condition known as presbyopia. In this blog, we'll share helpful information about this condition, including common symptoms and highly effective treatments.

What is Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is an age-related condition that gradually reduces the eye's ability to focus on nearby objects. It typically becomes noticeable after age 40, as the eye's lens loses flexibility, making it harder to shift focus between near and distant objects.

Presbyopia Symptoms

Do you think you have presbyopia? You very well could. Some of the main presbyopia symptoms include:

  • Having to move your book, phone, or computer screen farther away from you to make reading easier.

  • Recurring headaches.

  • Hard time seeing things that are close to you.

  • Eye strain, where your eyes become sore or tired.

Presbyopia Treatments to Consider

Presbyopia can be incredibly frustrating. Thankfully, there are several promising treatments available to you at your local eye doctor's office, eyeglasses store, or drugstore.

Progressive Lenses

Progressive lenses are eyeglass lenses that seamlessly transition between multiple vision corrections. They allow for clear vision at different distances—near, intermediate, and far—without visible lines on the lenses.

Bifocal Lenses

Bifocals are eyeglass lenses with two distinct optical powers designed to correct vision at two distances. Typically, the upper part of the lens is for distance vision, while the lower part is for close-up tasks like reading. The two sections are usually separated by a visible line on the lens.

These lenses are commonly prescribed for people with presbyopia, allowing them to switch between seeing objects at a distance and reading without needing multiple pairs of glasses.

Bifocal lenses do not offer a gradual transition between different vision corrections, unlike progressive lenses, which provide a more seamless viewing experience.

Reading Glasses

Reading glasses are eyeglasses designed to help people see clearly when performing close-up tasks like reading, writing, or using a smartphone.

Key features of reading glasses include:

  • Single vision lenses: These glasses have a single prescription designed for close-up work, correcting near vision only.

  • Ready-made or prescription: Reading glasses are available as over-the-counter (OTC) options with pre-set strengths or can be custom-made based on an individual's prescription.

  • Temporary use: They are typically worn only when needed for reading or other close tasks - not for distance vision.

Reading glasses do not correct for distance vision or intermediate vision, unlike bifocal or multifocal lenses, which address multiple ranges of focus.

Multifocal Contact Lenses

Multifocal contact lenses are designed to correct vision at various distances, providing clear sight for close-up, intermediate, and far-off objects.

These lenses feature multiple prescription strengths within a single lens, arranged in either concentric rings or with a smooth transition between powers. This allows the eyes to focus on different distances based on what you're viewing, whether it's reading, using a computer, or seeing far away.

Available in both soft and rigid gas-permeable (RGP) materials, multifocal lenses offer an alternative to bifocals or reading glasses for those needing vision correction at various distances.

So, there you have it – all you need to know about presbyopia, signs you may be dealing with the condition, and treatment options to consider. If you have further questions regarding your lens options, give us a call at 704-766-1130.

Joyce Adeleke