It’s no secret that with aging comes a lot of changes in our bodies. Our eyes are no exception to that! Have ever had to hold your book, magazine or newspaper at an arms length to focus on the words? Have you have trouble reading your text messages or restaurant menus without the aid of reading glasses? It’s called presbyopia and it affects everyone in their 40’s and beyond with the symptoms gradually increasing in severity over the ensuing years.
What is Presbyopia?
Inside of your eye, right behind the iris and pupil, there is a crystal clear lens that helps your eyes focus. This lens is flexible, and whenever you look at something up close, it moves to accommodate this close distance. Over time, this lens begins to lose elasticity and becomes more rigid. This also means that the lens is no longer able to flex and accommodate for close objects! This describes the common age-related refractive error called presbyopia.
Presbyopia Symptoms
Aside from blurry near vision, presbyopia can cause:
- Eyestrain
- Eye fatigue
- Headaches and migraines
Presbyopia Treatments
Presbyopia, like any other refractive error, can be corrected by the use of eyeglasses or contact lenses. While reading glasses can be moderately helpful, Drs. Mendelsohn and Klein strongly recommend progressive lenses with blue light blocker, especially for those utilizing digital devices more than 30 minutes per day. We have a phenomenal track record, working in conjunction with Emerald Eye Optical, of turning progressive lens experiences into delighted patients, thrilled with their newfound quality and range of vision. By utilizing reading glasses instead of progressive lenses, one is constantly putting on and removing their readers, exacerbating their presbyopic symptoms and decreasing work productivity.
A second option when you enter the 40’s and develop prebyopic symptoms is to be fit with multifocal contact lenses. Dr. Nathan Klein is a renown contact lens specialist, possessing stellar expertise in multifocal contact lenses. Key advantages of multifocal contact lenses are superior distance and near vision, enhanced depth perception, and a full peripheral field of vision.
The sole disadvantage of multifocal contact lenses is that few contact lens specialists have the knowledge and expertise to successfully provide their patients with access to this superior technology. Fortunately, these multifocal contact lenses are an area of tremendous expertise for Nathan Klein, O.D.
The third option for those who become symptomatic from presbyopia is to have Alan Mendelsohn M.D., F.A.C.S. perform a 5-minute Refractive Laser Lens Exchange with the insertion of a multifocal lens implant. With the PanOptix Multifocal IOL or the Toric PanOptix Multifocal IOL, we can generally correct most patients’ vision and enable them to see near, far, and everywhere in between without the aid of glasses or contact lenses. Most patients are back to their normal activities the very next day.
If you are frustrated with presbyopia, be sure to contact Eye Surgeons and Consultants of Hollywood FL for a consultation!