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Presbyopia

What is presbyopia?

As it’s just another side effect of ageing, all of us will experience presbyopia in our lives. The crystalline lens in the eye becomes less flexible and thicker. As a result of these changes, objects close to them become blurred, and the point of closest focus gradually moves further away from the eyes. It’s a gradual process, but you’ll start to notice a change in close vision from around the age of 40.

What are the symptoms of presbyopia?

  • You find it difficult to read small print.

  • You have to hold things at arm’s length to see clearly.

  • Vision is blurred at normal reading distance.

It’s fairly obvious to recognise the symptoms of presbyopia. You’ll find it starts to get difficult doing close‑up tasks, like reading or sewing. The further you hold something from you, the clearer it gets. This is why you’ll notice lots of people holding things at arm’s length to see clearer.

What causes presbyopia?

The flexible, crystalline lens in the front of the eye allows us to see clearly up close and far away. But as we get older – from around the age of 40 – this lens naturally starts to lose its elasticity, which affects your ability to focus.

Even if you have never needed glasses, you will find that you’ll need reading glasses later in life.

How is presbyopia treated?

It may be that all you need is a pair of prescription reading glasses to make close words easier. Or you may already have glasses but would benefit from bifocals or multifocals that combine near, midrange and distance vision into one pair of glasses.

If contact lenses are more suited to you – we have a great range of multifocal contact lenses designed to accommodate varying vision types in one lens, like they would in glasses.

Did you know?

Eye tests are bulk billed to Medicare so there are no out of pocket expenses for you*.

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We’re here to help

If you’ve noticed a change in your vision, or have experienced any symptoms mentioned above, it’s worth booking an appointment with one of our optometrists.

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