Presbyopia

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

Cause and Implications

Presbyopia is caused by an age-related process. This differs from astigmatism, nearsightedness and farsightedness, which are related to the shape of the eyeball and are caused by genetic and environmental factors. Presbyopia generally is believed to stem from a gradual thickening and loss of flexibility of the natural lens inside your eye.

These age-related changes occur within the proteins in the lens, making the lens harder and less elastic over time. Age-related changes also take place in the muscle fibers surrounding the lens. With less elasticity, the eye has a harder time focusing up close. Other, less popular theories exist as well.

Some of the most common symptoms of presbyopia are: blurred vision at normal reading distance, eye fatigue, eyestrain, headaches, and if it is not corrected, vision difficulty over time can cause problems with driving, lifestyle or work.

Treatment

Reading glasses are the oldest and still the most frequent treatment for age-related loss of near vision. Most commonly, bifocals, trifocals, progressive addition lenses (PALs), or contact lenses are used to correct presbyopia.

  • Bifocals have two distinct areas in the lenses with a relatively small area set for close vision at the base of each lens.
  • Trifocals have the areas for near and distance vision plus a middle area for intermediate vision.
  • PALs can be either bifocal or trifocal and the areas on the lens are blended into each other. This eliminates the “image jump” that happens when you move your focus from one lens area to another.
  • Multifocal contact lenses give clarity at all distances and if you have astigmatism as well as presbyopia, there are some contact lenses that correct both.

Surgical treatments for Presbyopia

  • Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)

CK is a type of refractive surgery that uses radio waves to steepen the corneal curvature. The radio waves are applied using a pen-sized probe and directed to the corneal periphery. The mild heat shrinks peripheral tissue, which has the effect of tightening it, and this steepens the curvature.

Clear Lens Exchange (CLE)

CLE is also known as Refractive Lens Exchange or Lens Replacement Surgery. It is a surgery which replaces the eye’s natural lens with an artificial lens known as an intraocular lens (IOL).

References:

Lee, J., & Bailey, G. (2011, June 23). Presbyopia.

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Presbyopia.(n.d.). Retrieved June 26, 2011,

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Vorvick, L.J. (2010, May 24). Presbyopia.

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Fact Sheet Developed by Silvia G. Gonzalez