Presbyopia, or age-related farsightedness, is a vision problem associated with age. At Clínica Nivaria, leading ophthalmology clinics in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, we answer the main questions our patients ask during medical consultations.
What is presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a common type of vision disorder that occurs with age. It is often referred to as "age-related farsightedness." Presbyopia results in difficulty focusing on near objects, sometimes exacerbated by the patient's previous refractive error.
Can I have presbyopia and another type of refractive error at the same time?
Yes. It's common to have presbyopia and another type of refractive error at the same time. There are several types of refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. A person can have one type of refractive error in one eye and a different type in the other.
What is refraction?
Refraction is the change in direction of light as it passes from one transparent medium to another. Vision occurs because light rays are redirected by the cornea and lens. The light is focused directly onto the retina, a light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The retina converts the light rays into signals that are sent via the optic nerve to the brain. The brain interprets these signals into the images we see.
How does presbyopia, or age-related farsightedness, occur?
When you are younger, the lens of the eye is soft and flexible, allowing the small muscles inside the eye to easily change the shape of our natural magnifying glass (crystalline lens) to focus on near and far objects.
Presbyopia occurs naturally in people as they age, usually starting around age 45. The eye can no longer focus light from near objects directly onto the retina due to the hardening of the natural lens. Aging also affects the muscle fibers around the lens, and the lens's inefficiency causes light to focus behind the retina, resulting in blurred vision of near objects.
Who is at risk of presbyopia?
Anyone over 40 can begin to develop presbyopia. Everyone experiences some loss of focusing power for near objects as they age, but some will notice this more than others, especially those with pre-existing farsightedness.
What are the signs and symptoms of presbyopia?
Some of the signs and symptoms of presbyopia include:
- Having to hold the reading material even further away than arm's length.
- Headaches.
- Eye strain.
- Difficulty reading small print.
- Focusing problems when viewing distant objects and then nearby objects.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may wish to visit our Ophthalmology Clinic in Santa Cruz de Tenerife . One of our specialists will be happy to perform a comprehensive eye exam, including pupil dilation if necessary. If you wear glasses or contact lenses and are still experiencing these problems, you may need a new prescription. Take advantage of our special offer for Presbyopia Surgery in Tenerife:
How is presbyopia diagnosed?
Presbyopia can be detected during a comprehensive dilated eye exam. If you notice any changes in your vision, we suggest scheduling an appointment at our clinic. Eye exams are more frequently recommended after age 40 to check for age-related conditions.
How is presbyopia corrected?
Glasses are the simplest and safest way to correct presbyopia. We can use reading glasses if we didn't have any vision problems before, or we can use progressive lenses, which have greater focusing power in the lower part of the lens. This allows us to read through the lower part of the lens and see clearly at a distance through the upper part.
Pre-assembled reading glasses currently available in opticians, pharmacies and other stores and which do not require a medical prescription can help with near vision for patients without the need for prior correction, but they can mask defects such as astigmatism that in some cases must be corrected.
The market also offers new generation contact lenses that provide multifocal vision, but prior to fitting them, it is necessary to rule out any pre-existing surface eye pathology by a specialist doctor, as they can cause pathology in patients where they are not indicated.
Similarly, and as a definitive solution, presbyopia can also be corrected with surgery. Presbyopia surgery with a multifocal lens involves replacing the natural lens with a multifocal intraocular lens. This lens performs the function of the natural lens, offering different fixed focal planes (at near and far distances); while the brain selects the most appropriate focus for each moment through a process known as pseudo-accommodation, allowing the patient to regain a significant portion of their visual range.
Furthermore, this operation eliminates other associated visual problems and prevents the subsequent appearance of cataracts.
If you need a comprehensive eye exam to rule out any eye conditions or to update your refractive prescription, don't hesitate to contact our Ophthalmology Clinic in Tenerife. We'll be happy to assist you and provide effective solutions.
