With age, elasticity loses not only the skin, but also the internal structures of the eye. The lens becomes denser and harder and can no longer focus equally well at different distances. As a result, a person sees worse up close. This condition is called age-related farsightedness or presbyopia. Although it seems that vision problems appear suddenly, the process develops over several years.

How does age-related farsightedness manifest itself?

A person notices something is wrong when near vision becomes blurred. The letters blur, and in order to read the text in the book and even the message on the smartphone, you have to take them away. Small work at close range becomes more difficult. Eyes get tired faster, tension appears, and with it a headache.

Although the symptoms are similar, presbyopia is different from farsightedness, in which the eye focuses behind the retina rather than on the retina. Farsightedness is most often present at birth, while presbyopia develops with age.

Who is at risk?

Presbyopia is a natural process, an inevitable part of aging that affects everyone. Usually, people notice symptoms after age 40, but some age-related farsightedness appears earlier and is more severe. The risk group includes people:

• who have to work a lot with a computer;
• whose profession is connected with the examination of small details, for example, jewelers, watchmakers.

Presbyopia cannot be prevented, but it can be delayed with little effort. One has only to take small breaks during the monotonous work at the same computer to look into the distance for a couple of minutes. Such exercises for the eyes will help the lens retain its ability to focus at different distances (accommodation) for a longer time. In addition, a competent ophthalmologist will advise exercises and vitamins that support the elasticity of the lens.

If accommodation disturbances are already present, do not despair. Modern ophthalmology offers various ways, if not treatment, then correction of senile farsightedness. Ophthalmologists of the Laser Eye Microsurgery Clinic will tell you about the pros and cons of each and help you choose the best one.

Treatment for presbyopia (age-related farsightedness)?

In order to see clearly up close again, the patient is offered optical or laser vision correction.

Glasses and lenses

• If you already wear glasses or lenses due to refractive errors, you will need additional ones for reading. A more convenient option is bifocal glasses and lenses that combine zones with different diopters, which allows you to see equally well near and far.
• Another option, less popular – monovision : lenses are selected in such a way that one eye sees near, the other far. These glasses are not suitable for everyone, because one eye gets a less clear picture, and you need to get used to it.

Surgery

For those who do not want to wear glasses and lenses, modern ophthalmology offers several options for the surgical correction of age-related farsightedness:

1. Replacing the lens with an intraocular lens that mimics the natural focusing ability. Implantation is carried out in one day, the patient does not have to stay in the hospital.
2. Conductive keratoplasty: instead of a scalpel, the surgeon uses radio waves of a certain frequency to reshape the retina in such a way as to achieve good near vision. The method is best suited for people over 40 years of age, if they do not have other eye diseases.
3. Monovision can be adjusted using a laser: the dominant eye sees well at close range, the other at a far distance. Such a radical option should be chosen only after trying glasses with different diopters.

If you do not want to put up with age and the inconvenience that it brings, contact our clinic – we will restore your clear vision.