A common vision disorder that occurs during aging is presbyopia. It typically begins around 40 years of age. Presbyopia is characterized by the inability to focus up close, which is a problem associated with refraction in the eye. The natural lens of the eye begins to harden as we age, which makes it difficult for light to focus directly onto the retina.
Another aging issue occurs when the eye has trouble focusing on up-close objects, which is attributed to the aging process on the muscle fibers around the eye’s lens. When the lens becomes ineffective, it causes light to focus behind the retina. This is what actually occurs when someone has trouble seeing up-close objects. Signs of presbyopia include:
- Difficulty reading small print
- Holding reading material far away from the eye — longer than arm’s distance
- Issues seeing close-up objects
- Headaches
- Eye strain
When these symptoms are noticed, call an eye care professional for a comprehensive exam, including eye dilation. If these issues happen even when wearing glasses/contact lenses, then a new prescription may be required.
Eyeglasses are the simplest and safest way to correct presbyopia, but contact lenses can also help the issue.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of presbyopia, contact Riverdale Ophthalmology today.
