EYE CLINIC

PRESBYOPIA | EYE CLINIC - EMMETROPIA

What is presbyopia?

 

Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the eyes ability to focus on nearby objects and is a natural consequence of aging. Presbyopia is usually starts from the age of 40 and continues to worsen until about the age of 65.

Presbyopia can be seen when reading books and newspapers up close. Presbyopia can be diagnosed with a standard ophthalmological examination and, by principle, vision can be restored with glasses or contact lenses or with an eye surgery.

 

Symptoms

 

Presbyopia progresses gradually. After the age of 40 patients notice the following first symptoms:

 

• Tendency to keep objects (e.g. book or newspaper) at a farther distance
• Blurred vision at normal reading distance
• Headaches or eye strain after reading or working at close range
• Difficulty in daily activities such as driving after prolonged work at close range (computer or another screen use)
• These symptoms can be worsened if you are tired or in a low light conditions.

 

Causes

 

The eye has two parts that focus the images:

 

• The cornea, which is the clear front curved surface of the eye
• The lens of the eye, which is transparent and flexible, with a radial muscle around it that changes its curvature so that we can focus at different distances (adjustment)

 

The lens of the eye, unlike the cornea, is flexible and can change shape with the help of a circular muscle that surrounds it. When we look something in distance, the circular muscle relaxes, while when we look something in close range, this muscle contracts, allowing the relatively elastic lens to bend and change its focus. This whole process is called accommodation.
Presbyopia is caused when the crystalline lens of the eye becomes harder and stiffer, which occurs with the natural aging process. As the lens becomes less flexible, it can no longer change shape in order to focus at close range, resulting in blurred vision.

 

Risk factors

 

There are number of factors that can increase your chances of developing presbyopia, such as:

 

• Age: Age is the greatest risk factor for presbyopia. Almost everyone begins to have some degree of presbyopia after the age of 40
• Other medical conditions: People with high blood pressure or those with other medical conditions - such as diabetes and other metabolic diseases, multiple sclerosis or cardiovascular disease - are more likely to develop earlier symptoms of presbyopia even under the age of 40.
• Medications: Certain types of medications, such as steroid drugs, antidepressants, antihistamines and diuretics, are associated with premature presbyopic symptoms.

 

Diagnosis

 

Presbyopia is diagnosed with standard ophthalmological examination, which includes a refractive examination and a general eye examination.

Refractive examination determines whether there are vision problems such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism or presbyopia.

Also, your ophthalmologist will probably put eye drops to dilate the pupils of your eyes (mydriasis) and make a complete and detailed examination of them. This dilation allows your ophthalmologist to have a wider field of vision inside your eyes and examine your retina.

 

Treatment

 

The goal of treating presbyopia is to compensate for the inability of the eyes to focus on nearby objects.

 

Ways to deal with presbyopia include:

 

• Glasses: A simple, safe way to improve visual problems caused by presbyopia. These glasses can either only be for reading and close work (usually if you have no other vision problems) or bifocal, multifocal, etc. In other words, glasses which can provide good vision at one, two or multiple distances
  Contact monofocal or multifocal lenses: People who do not want to wear glasses often try simple or multi focal contact lenses to improve their visual problems caused by presbyopia. This option may not be suitable for people with problems or diseases of the eyelids, tear ducts or eye surfaces (e.g. dry eyes)
• Refractive surgery (laser): Laser refractive surgery changes the shape of the cornea. For presbyopia, this treatment can be used to improve near-sight in the non-dominant eye. Even after surgery, you may need to use spectacles for close work with fine print. Talk to your doctor about possible problems, as this procedure is not reversible. You may want to try the contact lenses, which will simulate the results of the operation, for a short period of time before proceeding with the laser refractive surgery. For more details press here
• Intraocular monofocal or multifocal lens: It is a modern surgery to correct refractive errors. It differs from other methods of laser refractive surgery, as it replaces the natural lens of the eye. There are common elements with the cataract surgery which is more likely to be performed in a large percentage of the population at an older age

 

Why Emmetropia

 

At Emmetropia Eye Clinic, we are investing in new technology to ensure that all measurements, examinations, and finally treatments are performed accurately. Our medical staff will inform you and advise you in detail on the best possible solution. In our clinic there is a special section for glasses and contact lenses to meet your needs for far and near vision.

Emmetropia has state-of-the-art technology for performing modern refractive surgery, as well as premium monofocal and multifocal intraocular implants for the best possible results for your vision in your everyday activities.