If you’re finding it harder to read up close after age 40, you may be experiencing presbyopia.
Introduction and Overview
Does this sound familiar… As you got older you realised you could no longer see as clearly as you once did. Fast forward and your limbs don’t seem to be long enough to hold out that menu you used to read at arm’s length. You are starting to depend on those glasses, that you hate admitting you need to wear. You resent that they are always downstairs, upstairs, in the car or in your purse. You always had great vision and wonder how you ended up here!
…You very likely have Presbyopia.
Presbyopia is an age-related vision disorder that is considered a natural part of ageing. It affects the sight of 1.3 million Australians and sets a cycle of “glasses on, glasses off, glasses on” as your prescription gets worse, and your lenses get thicker and thicker
Symptoms of Presbyopia
Symptoms develop gradually and may include:
- Blurred near vision when reading, sewing, or using a computer
- Needing to hold reading material further away to focus
- Headaches or eye strain after close work
- Squinting or requiring brighter lighting to read comfortably
- Frustration with switching glasses on and off for different tasks
Causes of Presbyopia
The clear lens inside the eye sits just behind the iris. In younger eyes, this lens is soft and flexible, changing shape easily to focus on objects both near and far. After about age 40, the lens gradually stiffens, reducing its ability to change shape. As a result, it becomes harder to focus on close work such as reading or threading a needle.
This process is part of normal ageing and cannot be stopped or reversed.
Treatment of Presbyopia
The most effective treatment for this condition is clear lens extraction, in which the eye’s crystalline lens is removed and replaced with a specialised intraocular lens (IOL). In some cases, cataract formation occurs alongside presbyopic symptoms, leading to blurred vision. The treatment is essentially the same, involving removal of the cataractous lens and implantation of a multifocal IOL.
iLaser Vision
At Newcastle Eye Centre, presbyopia is treated through iLaser Vision Surgery, our dedicated lens replacement service division located within the practice. This highly effective procedure uses advanced cataract-removal techniques to replace the natural lens with a premium intraocular lens (IOL), freeing patients from the cycle of reading glasses, bifocals, and multifocals.
Lens replacement surgery may benefit people over 40 who:
- Wear reading glasses
- Depend on bifocals or multifocals
- Have presbyopia or astigmatism
- Experience both near and distance vision difficulties
Our ophthalmic surgeons use state-of-the-art technology to customise the choice of IOLs according to each patient’s visual needs.
Most patients enjoy excellent vision within days of surgery, with full rehabilitation achieved in around six weeks. The result is greater freedom from glasses and clarity across a wide range of distances.
No more glasses on, glasses off…
Clinical Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for general educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every individual’s condition is unique, and the details presented here may not apply to your personal situation. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions or concerns you have about your health or treatment options. Reliance on this information is solely at your own risk.