Presbyopia

Besides having difficulty focusing on nearby objects, other symptoms of presbyopia may include the following:

• Headaches when reading or staring at a computer screen for long periods
• Eye fatigue after prolonged periods of work

Your eye works similarly to a camera, where the cornea and lens focus on the light that objects reflect to form images. The cornea is the dome-shaped surface in the front part of your eye, and the lens is inside the eye. This structure bends the light that passes through the pupil to focus the image.

The eye lens can contract and relax, just like a camera, to focus on nearby or faraway objects. As you age, your lens loses flexibility, and changing its focus becomes harder. This is why images start to become blurry with time.

Although presbyopia is usually related to the normal aging process, some factors can increase the risk or extent of the condition. These include:

• Having a family history of presbyopia
• Medical conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases
• Having refractive conditions like farsightedness
• Medications like antidepressants or diuretics
• Previous eye injuries like cataracts or trauma
• Previous eye surgery
• Spending prolonged periods reading or staring at a computer screen

Presbyopia can be diagnosed by performing a comprehensive eye exam and multiple tests to determine the health state of your vision. This typically includes:

• A visual acuity test that measures your vision at different distances.
• A dilated eye exam that involves eye drops to dilate and examine your pupils.
• A slit-lamp exam uses a bright light microscope to examine the cornea, iris, and lens.
• A refractive test that involves looking through a series of lenses to determine the right prescription to correct your refractive condition.

Multiple options are available for refractive corrections are available. This includes prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, and lens insertion surgery. The best way to correct your presbyopia will depend on your individual case:

• Prescription eyeglasses: Bifocal and progressive lenses can help correct near vision problems.
• Contact lenses: Multifocal contact lenses, just like eyeglasses, can help correct vision problems. This is a commonly chosen option for people who do not want to wear frames. 
• Surgery: For people who do not want to wear prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses and whose vision problems require it, surgical procedures like implanting an artificial lens may be appropriate. 
• Vision therapy: To improve the ability to focus, your eye doctor can also provide specific vision exercises.

The best approach to your case of presbyopia will depend on your individual needs and lifestyle. Talking to your doctor and performing regular eye exams will ensure an accurate refractive treatment.