Recognizing and taking charge of your presbyopia
By Dr. Giovanna Olivares, OD, FAAO; Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Director & Staff Writer
Picture this: You’re sitting at restaurant you’ve been wanting to try, and the server hands you a menu. In the dim light of dinner service, you notice that the words appear blurry, so you squint. That helps a little bit, but it’s still pretty blurry. Luckily, you find that when you hold the menu out at arm’s length, you’re able to read it and choose your dish. Believe it or not, this is quite common, and if you’re approaching 40 or older, the likely culprit is presbyopia—an age-related condition. It happens to everyone, and it occurs because one of the parts of your eye responsible for focusing—a small lens inside the eye—becomes less flexible as you age, making it more difficult to see nearby objects clearly. But fret not! Understanding the signs and exploring solutions for presbyopia will help you maintain an active and vibrant lifestyle. This is a common sign of presbyopia as your eyes compensate for the decreased ability to focus. Books, smartphones, photographs, menus, medicine bottles—all of these can become a challenge because of blurriness or lack of focus. Prolonged near-vision tasks, such as reading or computer work, may lead to eye strain and fatigue. Arguably the most common and visible solution are glasses, and those that choose this route have options. Choose from stylish reading glasses, progressive lenses for seamless transitions, or bifocal/trifocal lenses for correction needs. If you’re a person that wants freedom from glasses, you can go with contact lenses designed specifically for presbyopia. These multifocal lenses provide both near and distance vision correction. Surgical procedures like refractive lens exchange or LASIK can correct presbyopia. Consult with your eye care professional to explore these options and determine if they are suitable for you. Presbyopia may be a natural part of the aging process, but it doesn't have to hinder your lifestyle. By recognizing the signs and exploring available solutions, you can regain clear vision and enjoy life to the fullest. Visit your eye care professional to discuss your vision needs.Signs of presbyopia
Options for clearer vision
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