As we age our eyes become increasingly less able to see clearly up close. This age-related farsightedness is called Presbyopia.
Presbyopia occurs because the lens in the eye becomes harder and less flexible. This loss of flexibility means the lens is unable to adapt to see images close up. Most people begin to notice the symptoms of presbyopia around the age of 40.
There are many ways to in which to cope with presbyopia. Eyeglasses are the most common solution. Many people use single vision readers, or cheaters, to manage their near work. As presbyopia progresses most people will opt for a multifocal lens of some type. These lenses could be Progressives, Lined Bifocals or Lined Trifocal.
Contact lenses are another option for patients with presbyopia. Multifocal contacts have zones for both distance and near that uses the eye’s natural movement and pupil size to allow for a comfortable transition from far to near. A monovision contact fitting is also a possibility. For monovision, one eye is prescribed for distance vision and the other eye for near. The brain then learns how to focus with the necessary eye for the correct distance.
Vuity eye drops are the latest strategy for presbyopes. Vuity is a once-a-day drop that can alleviate many of the struggles of presbyopia for a large portion of the day. By reducing the pupil size, Vuity allows the eyes to focus more clearly up close.
Since every individual’s eyes and daily visual needs are different, there is no one size fits all strategy for managing the symptoms of presbyopia. At Best Eyecare Associates we work with our patients to inform them of the benefits and limitations of the various solutions and what may work best in their lifestyle.