Vision over 40 (Presbyopia) Diagnosis and Management at Vue Vision Centre
What is presbyopia?
Vision over 40 years of age requires the right care as you will begin to enter a new phase of vision changes and ocular risks. Between 40-60 years of age, the human eye begins to change and break down. Everyone will be affected by the aging eye, even patients who have had impeccable vision (20/20) their entire life. Typically, sometime after the age of 40 years, it is common for adults to begin to struggle with seeing fine print clearly at close distances when reading. You may begin to notice symptoms when you are participating in activities that require you to focus your eyes on the text of a book or on a computer screen. You may also start to feel symptoms of eye strain, as a result of attempting to overfocus while reading without the use of reading glasses. The inability for your eyes to focus properly on objects close up is called presbyopia and occurs when the lens inside the eye becomes less flexible. Without the normal flexibility, the eye is not able to easily change focus from objects that are far away to objects that are near. Essentially, the autofocus inside the eye starts to stiffen and break down. Around 60 years of age, your presbyopia will stop progressing, but until then you may find the need to continue to have your prescriptions altered and changed to accommodate your lack of focusing ability.
How to overcome Near Vision Problems
For those patients who have never had to struggle with vision, vision changes over 40 and the onset of presbyopia can be challenging to adapt to. The use of eyeglasses or contact lenses can easily treat your symptoms, but you will need to be patient with yourself as you transition to using a tool to help you see when you previously had no vision issues. For patients who are already using glasses and contact lenses to see clearly in the distance, changes in your near vision can be corrected by changing the type of contact lenses and eyeglasses that you use. Progressive and bifocal or multifocal lenses will help eliminate your symptoms. Laser eye surgery and other refractive surgery procedures are also available for presbyopia symptoms, provided that you are a good candidate. Between the ages of 40 to 60, it is important to schedule a comprehensive eye examination every one to two years, in order to monitor changes to your vision and the rate of these changes. Regular examinations will help you preserve your vision and overall eye health.
At-Risk Categories for patients over 40
Patients will need to take extra precautions with their vision over 40 and be more proactive with eye care and exams if they fall into any of the following categories:
Warning Signs of Eye Health Problems
Difficulties with near vision are not the only issue that you may be more at risk for over 40. Other age-related eye conditions may also develop. By committing to regular eye examinations, you can get ahead of other serious eye conditions. In between visits, watch out for these warning signs:
Age-related vision changes can be corrected with a little help. While advancing age demands taking more steps to ensure optimal eye health, it does not have to overwhelm you! We are here to help you every step of the way. Vue Vision is equipped with advanced diagnostic technology to help us detect eye diseases before they can cause permanent vision loss. Through digital imaging, we can screen for retinal problems and monitor the slightest changes in your retinal health. To ensure optimal vision and eye health, book your next eye exam at Vue Vision Centre.