Presbyopia

What is presbyopia?

You are in your forties and now, little by little, it is harder to read a number in the phonebook or your eyes tire easily reading. Is nature letting you down?

In fact, throughout your life, your eye’s focus system gradually loses its effectiveness. At its maximum at birth, it no longer works around 55 years old. Thickening and thus the loss of flexibility of the crystalline lens is the cause.

Unfortunately, we do not yet know how to stop or delay the coming of presbyopia. No medication or exercise can prevent this condition.

Presbyopia is primarily corrected by wearing eyeglasses and sometimes contact lenses.

The main symptoms that will allow your optometrist to determine the right time to correct presbyopia are the apparition of blurring and eyestrain in near vision. In fact, when the quality of your life and your work performance are threatened, it’s time to see to it!

Different ways to correct presbyopia

Progressive lenses

For people who already wear glasses, the most interesting option is probably wearing progressive lenses. They offer a clear vision at all distances: near (reading), intermediate (computer) and far. They require a period of adaptation, but then they are effective for the majority of your tasks.

Computer glasses

Computer glasses are recommended for anyone who regularly works on a computer. They are specifically designed to work at that distance. They dramatically reduce fatigue and eye strain associated with this type of activity. They are also very popular with musicians.

Reading glasses

Reading glasses will be prescribed if the need for near vision is important or for people who have perfect distance vision. These glasses are very effective up close, but less versatile for multiple tasks, such as reading and using the computer.

Bifocal contact lenses

Finally, bifocal lenses will fit patients who prefer the freedom of vision without restrictions, regardless of the direction of gaze. Your optometrist will experiment with different types of contact lenses before making the final lens adjustment.

Bifocal lenses

Bifocal glasses are prescribed less frequently than before. They are excellent for both near and far vision, but their weakness in intermediate vision and the presence of a visible line in the lens rarely make them the first choice.

As you can see, it is possible to correct presbyopia in all kinds of ways. Unfortunately, there is no miracle or universal solution. However, the clinical experience of the last fifteen years shows that current solutions are effective and those to come will be even more.

Your Opto-Réseau optometrist masters the latest techniques and will be able to precisely determine the solution to your problem, either with the use of glasses, contact lenses or a combination of both. Do not hesitate to consult them!

Tips and hints

To facilitate and minimize the adjustment period to your new glasses or contact lenses, you should wear them as often as possible. If problems persist after a reasonable adjustment period, please do not hesitate to share your concerns with your Opto-Réseau optometrist.

Here are some tips that will help you adapt more quickly to your new progressive lenses:

• Start to wear your new glasses during sedentary activities when few head movements are required.
• Do not tilt your head when you read. Keep your head up and lower your eyes instead.
• Follow the text as you read while moving your head slightly from left to right, so that the text remains at the center of your field of vision.
• Keep an upright sitting position when driving your car or watching television. If you tilt your head back, your distance vision will be blurred.
• Do not look at your feet when you walk up or down stairs. Keep looking straight ahead, as before, and you will have much less difficulty.