What is presbyopia?

Answer 1

The inability to focus on close objects due to the ageing process. The crystalline lens loses its flexibility, and one has to hold reading material further away in order to focus. This results in the need for reading spectacles or contact lenses suitable prescribed.

Answer 2

Definition

Presbyopia is a condition in which the lens of the eye loses its ability to focus, making it difficult to see objects up close.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The condition is associated with aging and gets worse over time. The focusing power of the eye depends on the elasticity of the lens. This elasticity is gradually lost as people age. The result is a slow decrease in the ability of the eye to focus on nearby objects.

People usually notice the condition around age 45, when they realize that they need to hold reading materials further away in order to focus on them. Presbyopia is a natural part of the aging process and affects everyone.

Symptoms

• Decreased focusing ability for near objects
• Eyestrain
• Headache

Signs and tests

The health care provider will perform a general eye examination, including measurements to determine a prescription for glasses or contact lenses.

Tests may include:

• Examination of the retina
• Muscle integrity test
• Refraction test
• Slit-lamptest
• Visual acuity

Treatment

Presbyopia can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. In some cases, the addition of bifocals to an existing lens prescription is enough. As the ability to focus up close worsens, the prescription needs to be changed.

Around the age of 65, the eyes have usually lost most of the elasticity needed to focus up close. However, it will still be possible to read with the help of the right prescription. Even so, you may find it necessary to hold reading materials further away, and you may need larger print and more light by which to read.

People who do not need glasses for distance vision may only need half glasses or reading glasses.

With the use of contact lenses, some people choose to correct one eye for near and one eye for far vision. This is called "monovision" and eliminates the need for bifocals or reading glasses, but it can affect depth perception. There are also newer contact lenses that can correct for both near and far vision with the same lens.

New surgical procedures can also provide solutions for those who do not want to wear glasses or contacts.

Expectations (prognosis)

Vision can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

Complications

If it is not corrected, vision difficulty that gets worse over time can cause problems with driving, lifestyle, or work.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider or ophthalmologist if you have eye strain or are less able to focus on close objects.

Prevention

There is no proven prevention for presbyopia.

Answer 3

Definition

Presbyopia is a condition in which the lens of the eye loses its ability to focus, making it difficult to see objects up close.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The lens of the eye needs to change its length or shape to focus on smaller objects, or objects that get closer or farther away. This is called the elasticity of the lens. This elasticity is slowly lost as people age. The result is a slow decrease in the ability of the eye to focus on nearby objects.

People usually notice the condition at around age 45, when they realize that they need to hold reading materials further away in order to focus on them. Presbyopia is a natural part of the aging process and it affects everyone.

Symptoms

• Decreased focusing ability for near objects
• Eyestrain
• Headache

Signs and tests

The health care provider will perform a general eye examination, including measurements to determine a prescription for glasses or contact lenses.

Tests may include:

• Examination of the retina
• Muscle integrity test
• Refraction test
• Slit-lamptest
• Visual acuity

Treatment

There is no cure for presbyopia, but it can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. In some cases, adding bifocals to an existing lens prescription is enough. As the ability to focus up close worsens, the bifocal prescription needs to be changed.

Around age 65, the eyes have usually lost most of the elasticity needed to focus up close. However, it will still be possible to read with the help of the right prescription. Even so, you may find that you need to hold reading materials farther away, and you may need larger print and more light by which to read.

People who do not need glasses for distance vision may only need half glasses or reading glasses.

People who are nearsighted may be able to take off their distance glasses to read.

With the use of contact lenses, some people choose to correct one eye for near and one eye for far vision. This is called "monovision," and it eliminates the need for bifocals or reading glasses, but it can affect depth perception.

Sometimes monovision can be produced through laser vision correction. There are also bifocal contact lenses that can correct for both near and far vision in both eyes.

New surgical procedures can also provide solutions for people who do not want to wear glasses or contacts.

Expectations (prognosis)

Vision can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

Complications

If it is not corrected, vision difficulty that gets worse over time can cause problems with driving, lifestyle, or work.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider or ophthalmologist if you have eye strain or are less able to focus on close objects.

Prevention

There is no proven prevention for presbyopia.

References

Donahue SP. Presbyopia and loss of accommodation. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier;2008:chap 9.2.

American Academy of Ophthalmology Refractive Management/Intervention Panel. Preferred Practice Pattern Guidelines. Refractive Errors & Refractive Surgery. San Francisco, CA: American Academy of Ophthalmology; 2007. Accessed May 2, 2010.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 05/24/2010

Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and FRanklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Answer 4

Presbyopia is the medical term meaning age-related decrease in accommodation.

Answer 5

Presbyopia is a condition that occurs as a part of normal aging and is not considered to be an eye disease. The process occurs gradually over a number of years.