What Is Presbyopia?
We know that medical terminology can be confusing, overwhelming and sometimes a little frightening for our customers. Sight is precious, and anything that might affect it can be daunting. Often, though, medical terms are just our way of communicating common conditions that impact thousands of people across the country every day.
Presbyopia is one of them.
What Is Presbyopia?
“Presbyopia” might sound unnerving, but for most of those affected, its just another part of getting older.
If you are a Presbyopia sufferer, you are in the company of more than a billion others worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation.
Also known as age related long-sight, Presbyopia is a condition that affects thousands of people in the UK over 40 years of age. Translated literally as “ageing eye”, it affects your ability to see things close up.
If you develop Presbyopia, you’ll find that you need to hold books, magazines and newspapers closer to your face, and long periods of close work may cause eye strain and headaches.
How Is It Caused?
When you are young, the lens of your eye is soft, and quite flexible. It changes its shape easily, and focusing on objects close up and far away is relatively easy. After the age of 40, however, the lens becomes more rigid. The lens can’t change shape as easily as it once did, making it more difficult to read at close range.
It is as normal and common as that. Watch this video for a more in depth explanation.
Can It Be Treated?
Yes! Presbyopia can be easily treated with prescription glasses or contact lenses.
Glasses with bifocal lenses are the most common way of correcting Presbyopia, but reading glasses work just as well. If you wear contact lenses, your optician can prescribe glasses that work close-up when you have you lenses in. Alternatively, bifocal contact lenses are now also available.
If you are over 40 and are noticing the symptoms of Presbyopia, book an appointment with your optician today. We have branches in Cardigan, Narberth and Pembroke Dock, and can perform a full eye test and prescribe the necessary glasses or contact lenses.
Did You Know? On average, women need Presbyopia correction earlier in life than men. The reason? Women have shorter arms than men, and can’t hold books, magazines and other items far enough away! (Source: Allaboutvision.com)