Eye Care Basics

Presbyopia

Causes
Presbyopia usually occurs at or around age 40, when the natural lens inside the eye loses flexibility, making it difficult to focus on objects or print at close range. It is a natural process of aging, not a disease, and cannot be prevented.

Symptoms
Symptoms of the onset of presbyopia include:

• the need to hold reading materials at a distance
• blurred vision and eye fatigue, including headaches when doing close work ("arms are too short")

Diagnosis and Treatment
A comprehensive eye exam can detect presbyopia. Your eye care specialist may prescribe single vision reading lenses or multifocal lenses, such as bifocals, trifocals, or progressive ("no line") lenses. Contact lenses are also available to correct presbyopia. Since the eye continues to change in the aging process, changes in your prescription may be required periodically.

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