1-minute read
Somewhere in your forties, you may find yourself holding your phone further away to read a message. Menus feel harder to read in dim light. This is presbyopia, and it happens to nearly everyone as they get older.
What is presbyopia?
To focus on something close, the lens inside the eye has to change shape. With age the lens slowly gets stiffer and can't change shape as easily, so near objects become blurred. It is a normal part of ageing, not a disease, and it is not caused by reading or using screens.
Common signs
Holding reading material further away to see it clearly
Blurred small print, especially in low light
Tired eyes or headaches after close work
Needing brighter light to read or sew
How it is corrected
Reading glasses: a simple option if your distance vision is good.
Bifocals: one lens with two zones, for distance and near.
Progressive lenses: a smooth change in power from distance to near, with no visible line.
Your near vision will probably keep changing for some years, so your spectacles may need updating from time to time.
Why you should still get an eye test
It is tempting to buy ready-made reading glasses and leave it there. But the two eyes often need different powers, and ready-made glasses can't correct that or astigmatism. More importantly, your forties are when the risk of glaucoma starts to rise, and early cataract and diabetic eye disease can also be present without symptoms.
An advanced eye examination checks the right spectacle power and the health of your eyes at the same visit. Learn more about vision tests and spectacles, or request a call back.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you are worried about your eyes or health, see a qualified professional.
