Presbyopia

Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects, caused by the ageing of the eye’s lens. The lens in your eye becomes less elastic with age and is therefore less able to change shape. This process is called accommodation: the lens becomes more rounded to see clearly up close and flatter for distance vision. With presbyopia, this adjustment becomes increasingly difficult.

Most people first notice presbyopia around the age of 40, for example because they have to hold the newspaper further away or struggle to read small text on their mobile phone. It is a natural part of ageing and affects everyone, regardless of whether you already had a different prescription or have always had perfect vision.

Presbyopia is neither a disease nor an eye condition, but a refractive error resulting from the normal ageing of the eye. It differs from long-sightedness (hypermetropia), although both can cause problems with near vision. In long-sightedness, the eyeball is too short or the refractive power is too low; in presbyopia, the lens has become too stiff.

How do you recognise presbyopia?

The first signs are often that you need more light to read, that small print becomes blurred, or that your arms seem too short to hold a book or menu at the correct distance. Headaches or tired eyes after prolonged close-up work can also indicate presbyopia. These symptoms gradually worsen and usually stabilise around the age of sixty.

Correction with glasses or contact lenses

Presbyopia is usually corrected with reading glasses, multifocal glasses (such as bifocals or progressive lenses) or multifocal contact lenses. Multifocal contact lenses have multiple zones of power, allowing you to see clearly at both close range and a distance. At SMEYEL , you’ll find multifocal contact lenses for daily or monthly use, depending on your preference and lifestyle.

Combination with other conditions

Presbyopia can occur alongside short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism. In that case, you will need a combined correction, such as a multifocal lens with a toric component for astigmatism. Your optician or optometrist will examine your eyes and advise you on the correction that best suits your needs.

When should you visit an optician or ophthalmologist?

If you’re finding it difficult to read or do close-up work and you’re aged around forty or older, have your eyes checked by your optician or optometrist. They can determine whether you have presbyopia and what correction you need. If you experience sudden or unilateral symptoms, pain or other unusual signs, it is advisable to contact your ophthalmologist.