Do you need reading glasses for Presbyopia?
If you don’t already wear glasses by the time you’re 40, there’s still a good chance you could find yourself needing to perch a pair on your nose.
Many people find that they start to require the help of reading glasses as they get older. One of the reasons for this is a condition called presbyopia, a type of long-sighted vision that’s part of the ageing process and affects many. In fact, as we live longer, it is becoming more and more common, just like other age-related medical issues. The good news is that a pair of reading glasses is easier to buy than prescription glasses. They’re cheaper and don’t need to be customised as much as full prescription glasses.
What Is Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is an age-related condition that causes blurred vision up close. It usually starts with slightly blurred vision and gets worse over time. Presbyopia occurs as the lens in the eye gets thicker and less flexible as you age. This is different to other types of vision problems, such as short-sightedness, which are related to the shape of the eye. When the lens becomes less flexible, it can’t focus clearly on close-up objects or might take longer to focus. This means that light received by the cornea, which should be deflected onto the retina, ends up behind the retina instead. This creates blurred images and eye strain as the lens tries to focus.
The Symptoms of Presbyopia
People with presbyopia might notice that small print or small details are difficult to see up close. You might find yourself holding a book at arm’s length to see it better, or you might find it difficult to see other types of writing, from menus to newspapers or your tablet or e-reader. You could also experience eye strain from trying to see things up close. Anything that requires you to see in detail can become more difficult as you struggle to see clearly.
Treating Presbyopia
If you already have a glasses prescription for distance vision, you might consider having your prescription glasses changed. Some people wear bifocals, which are divided into two sections for near and distance vision. Others have progressive addition lenses, which are similar to bifocals but change progressively, instead of having two distinct sections.
Reading glasses are a suitable choice for many people, whether you already have a glasses prescription for distance or not. Reading glasses are more simple than prescription glasses and don’t need to have several different measurements. You will find reading glasses in different strengths, which are expressed as a positive number. You can generally buy them in increasing strengths of +0.25 with +5.00 often the strongest that you can buy. This makes it simple to pick up a pair of reading glasses from a pharmacy or other shop, without the extra cost of prescription lenses.
Reading glasses can also be worn if you already wear contact lenses, which is beneficial for people who already have a glasses prescription. You might find it more convenient to have a pair of reading glasses, rather than bifocals or varifocals.
If you experience any of the signs and symptoms of presbyopia, getting your eyes checked is a good idea. Your vision problems could be caused by presbyopia, particularly if you are over the age of 40, but it’s important to rule out any other issues too. Pay attention to whether things look blurry up close, or if you find yourself having to hold things further away to read or see them.
Regular eye tests should be part of your health routine. They’re generally recommended every two years, although some people might benefit from more regular checkups. However, if you notice any changes in your vision or you’re experiencing headaches or fatigue that you think might be caused by eye strain, don’t wait until your next routine eye test to get checked out. The sooner you get your eyes tested, the faster you can treat the problem.
If the problem turns out to be presbyopia and normal aged-related vision changes, a pair of presbyopic glasses will solve it. Safe and Sound Health has a range of stylish, bold and practical ready-readers available in a selection of different diopter strengths. You can find their range by clicking here.
