Presbyopia
When your reading vision starts to get worse
What is Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a common age-related vision condition in which the eye gradually loses the ability to focus on nearby objects. This condition typically starts to become noticeable in adults around the age of 40 or older. The primary cause of presbyopia is the hardening of the lens inside the eye, making it less flexible and reducing its ability to change shape (accommodate) to focus on close objects.
Symptoms of Presbyopia include:
- Difficulty reading small print or seeing close objects clearly without holding them further away.
- Needing brighter lighting when reading or doing close work.
- Experiencing eyestrain or headaches after reading or doing close tasks for prolonged periods.
The positive is that we have many lens options for you at Abra & Co. Opticians, that allow you to be able to get the vision you need for your specific and unique environments.
Unlike other refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism, presbyopia is related to age and affects everyone eventually. The condition can be diagnosed through a basic eye exam, and it is typically corrected with prescription eyeglasses, reading glasses, bifocals, trifocals, or contact lenses. In some cases, people opt for surgical procedures such as LASIK or lens implants to correct presbyopia.
Presbyopia manifests itself quite early on in some cases, even at the ages of 38 onwards. Oftentimes we have seen prescriptions from other high street Opticians where the reading Add has been prescribed at a higher number than we would anticipate for the patients age. Our Optometrists understand when your eyes have enough power to focus, and so we carefully measure the correct power to prescribe, just enough for your natural eyes not to become over reliant on the glasses, although this will occur naturally over time.
HOW CAN PRESBYOPIA BE TREATED?
At Abra & Co., our team of experienced optometrists specialises in the diagnosis and management of presbyopia, ensuring our clients receive personalised and effective solutions for their vision needs. Here’s how we can help:
Comprehensive Eye Exams
Our expert optometrists conduct thorough eye exams using state-of-the-art technology to accurately diagnose presbyopia and any other coexisting vision problems. This comprehensive approach ensures we tailor our treatment plans to fit each client’s unique needs.
EYEWEAR SOLUTIONS
- Reading Glasses: We offer a wide selection of high-quality reading glasses in various styles and magnification levels, ensuring comfort and effectiveness.
- Bifocal and Progressive Lenses: Our customized bifocal and progressive lenses are designed to provide seamless vision correction, catering to the specific lifestyle and vision preferences of our clients. We ensure a smooth transition between different focal points.
- Trifocals: For clients needing near, intermediate, and distance vision correction, our trifocals offer a comprehensive solution without compromising on style or comfort.
Advanced Contact Lens Fitting
- Bifocal and Multifocal Contact Lenses: Our optometrists are skilled in fitting bifocal and multifocal contact lenses, providing clear vision at all distances
How can we help you if you have presbyopia?
- Thorough Diagnostics: We conduct comprehensive eye exams to accurately diagnose presbyopia and any other underlying vision conditions. Our state-of-the-art diagnostic tools ensure precise measurements and help us tailor a treatment plan that’s right for you
- Eyeglasses: We offer a variety of eyeglass options, including stylish reading glasses, bifocals, trifocals, and progressive lenses, all customized to meet your specific vision needs and lifestyle preferences.
- Contact Lenses: For those who prefer contact lenses, we provide advanced bifocal and multifocal lenses, as well as the monovision option. Our optometrists expertly fit these lenses to ensure comfort and optimal vision correction.
- Adaptive Strategies: We offer advice on increasing lighting, using magnifying tools, and making ergonomic adjustments to your workspace, helping you maintain comfort and efficiency in your daily activities.
- Ongoing Care: Our relationship with you doesn’t end with the initial treatment. We offer follow-up appointments to adjust your vision correction solutions as needed and ensure your eyes are healthy.
- Educational Resources: We believe in empowering our clients with knowledge. Our optometrists take the time to explain your condition, the available treatment options, and how to best manage your vision health over time.
At Abra & Co., we understand that presbyopia is a natural part of aging, but it doesn’t have to limit your lifestyle. Our dedicated team is here to ensure you receive the highest quality of care, tailored vision solutions, and the support you need to enjoy clear vision at all distances. Reach out to us today to discover how we can enhance your visual experience and support your journey to better eye health.
Top tips for presbyopia
Although everyone is a unique inidividual, there are some recommendations we would make as general tips to suit every presbyopic patient.
- Always have a pair of prescription reading glasses – When you have your eyes tested, you get a prescription for each eye. This prescription is then made up in lenses with the optical centre of the lens sitting exactly in front of the optical centre of the pupil, so it’s a perfect match. This will give you the sharpest and clearest vision. When you wear ready readers, firstly your prescription is not completely corrected and secondly the optical centres don’t match. This is why you should always have a pair of prescription glasses for when you are reading for long periods or concentrating at near for long periods. This will reduce eye strain. You can still have multiple pairs of ready readers as they can be quite practical in case you lose them, and have multiple pairs lying around the house but for eyes you should have a best pair of up to date prescription glasses
- Consider Enhanced Reading Lenses – As your prescription worsens, you may feel the need to get stronger reading glasses. We would recommend at this point considering the need for an enhanced reading lens which would give you more range to be able to see further away whilst having your reading glasss on. With reading only lenses, they give you a good enough working range when there is a small prescription, however as you get older, you typically need stronger lenses and this in turn reduces your working distance. Basically, you find you have to hold things closer and can’t see the computer as clearly. With an enhanced reading lens you get the best of both
- Move to Varifocals Earlier – The smaller your reading add, the easier it is to adapt to varifocals. When we say move to varifocals earlier, it simply means when you have a strong enough distance prescription we would recommend a varifocal for you. This is a far more practical lens for everyday life, even if you don’t wear glasses all the time
- Try Varifocal Contact Lenses – At Abra & Co. Opticians, we’re experts in Varifocal contact lens fitting. We have certain lenses that are simply not available to high street opticians and our optometrists have been specially trained to fit them for maximum success rate.
