Are you having trouble reading books, or focusing on your mobile device’s screen? Are you over the age of 40? If the answer is ‘yes’ to those questions, the chances are high that you are suffering from presbyopia, a non-sight-threatening disease that is a natural result of the ageing process. Our eyes naturally start to change as we get older, and presbyopia literally means “old eye”.
Presbyopia is not a serious eye condition but it can be pretty annoying! It occurs when the eye’s inside lens grows more rigid over time, which makes it more difficult to focus on objects that are up close. If you feel this is happening to you, you should contact an eye DR near Sutherland right away and undergo a complete eye exam! If they find that you are one of the millions of people suffering from this common condition they can help you by prescribing special optical lenses such as bifocal and multifocal reading glasses.
The following is a list of signs that you may be suffering from presbyopia:
Tired Eyes – If your eyes feel tired when reading books or tablets and working at your computer, it’s probably because presbyopia is making them work extra hard to focus on those close objects. Wearing reading glasses can help by allowing them to focus properly so they don’t get so tired.
Blurry Close Vision – You notice that your vision isn’t as clear as it once was, and you are struggling to read books, phone messages, and restaurant menus.
Seeing Halos Around Lights – As your eyes age your ability to focus light into the retina becomes scattered which causes your focus to blur, resulting in fuzzy vision that causes a halo effect when you gaze at lightbulbs and vehicle headlights.
Frequent Headaches – The severe eye strain that presbyopia can cause when working on your computer or reading for long periods of time can cause frequent headaches. These headaches may also be a sign that you have a more serious eye condition like cataracts, so be sure to consult with your eye doctor if it is happening to you.
Rubbing Your Eyes – If you find you are frequently rubbing your eyes it is another sign that you may be suffering from the early stages of presbyopia, which causes eye strain because your eyes have to work harder to focus. This makes your eyes feel irritated, causing you to feel the urge to rub them. Try not to do that, and make an appointment with your eye doctor if it happens often.
Night Vision Difficulty – As we age, our night vision slowly begins to deteriorate, making it difficult to see things like the dashboard on your car after dark, even with the lights turned on! This is very likely yet another sign that presbyopia is setting in.
Squinting – Presbyopia progresses at a very slow pace in its early stages, so people don’t realize it, and find themselves squinting often when trying to focus.
It is highly recommended you see an eye doctor if you notice any of these symptoms happening on a regular basis. Reading glasses can help, and make your life a lot more comfortable!
