When your eye doctor first tells you, "you have presbyopia," you probably have a lot of question. The term "presbyopia" is a bit intimidating, but really, the condition you're been diagnosed with is very common and eye doctors have established highly effective ways of dealing with it. To ease your worries and let you know what to expect in the years to come, here's a closer look at this condition and what it entails.

What is presbyopia?

Presbyopia is a condition in which your eyes slowly lose their ability to refocus on objects that are close to you. Though you can still focus on these objects, doing so takes you much longer and you often have to pause and sort of "think about it" in order to see these objects clearly. You might find that it's difficult to read books or see your hands clearly as you bring them towards your face.

What causes presbyopia?

This condition is, for most people, brought on by age-associated changes to the lens of the eye. As you get older, your lens changes shape, and this alters the way in which the light hits the retina at the back of your eye. Genetics seem to determine whether a person will or won't develop presbyopia and at what age they'll start showing signs of the condition. If your parents had this condition, there's a good chance you will, too. You may develop the condition earlier if you use certain medications like anti-anxiety drugs or antihistamines for a long period of time. Diabetes and circulatory disorders can also perpetuate the development of presbyopia.

What other symptoms you're experiencing may be due to presbyopia?

Before being diagnosed and treated, many patients with this condition suffer from eyestrain and headaches. They might feel fatigued after reading due to the difficulty they have focusing on the page.

How is presbyopia treated?

There is no cure for the condition, and it cannot be corrected with laser surgery like many other visual insufficiencies. However, presbyopia is quite easy to manage. Your eye doctor will conduct an eye test to determine the extent of your visual impairment and will prescribe reading glasses based on the results of that test. Some patients end up having to wear their glasses all of the time, while others only need to wear them when reading or otherwise focusing on close-up objects. Your eye doctor will tell you when you should wear your glasses.

If you have been diagnosed with presbyopia, do not panic. This extremely common condition is easily managed with a simple set of spectacles. For further information about this, contact a representative from an establishment like Complete Family Vision Care.

Share