Presbyopia

For almost all of us, age eventually brings an inevitable change to our vision. You may find yourself holding books or devices at arm’s length to be able to see them clearly. Though it may be inevitable, this age-related farsightedness doesn’t have to interfere with your quality of life. Heart of Texas Eye Care offers evaluations and vision correction services to help you see better at any age.

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Learn more about Presbyopia

What is Presbyopia and How Does it Impact My Vision?

Presbyopia is an extremely common vision problem that occurs with age and leads to farsightedness. While children and young adults can also be farsighted, called hyperopia, almost all individuals over the age of 40 gradually develop some degree of farsightedness. 

Farsightedness makes it difficult to see clearly up close. If you have presbyopia or hyperopia, you may find it difficult to read or use digital devices without glasses. You may also hold books and devices at arm’s length since your eyes are more able to focus on distant objects.

Symptoms of presbyopia include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Difficulty reading or performing up-close tasks
  • Squinting or holding things at arm’s length
  • Eye strain and headaches

Though presbyopia and hyperopia both lead to the same symptoms of farsightedness, they are separate conditions with different causes. Both are the result of a refractive error, but hyperopia occurs when your eyeball is too short, whereas presbyopia occurs when the eye lens becomes less flexible with age.

How Can I Prevent Presbyopia?

Since presbyopia results from the natural aging process, it isn’t preventable. Everyone develops some degree of presbyopia as they age. However, certain conditions and factors may cause premature presbyopia, so there are steps you can take to avoid an early onset.

Some conditions that can lead to premature presbyopia include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and multiple sclerosis. Certain medications, including alcohol, antidepressants, and antihistamines, can increase your risk of premature presbyopia. Following a healthy lifestyle and avoiding potential risk factors can help you prevent the early onset of symptoms. 

An essential part of preventing or managing any eye condition is to have regular eye exams. This allows you to monitor and protect your eye health by detecting and treating problems in their early stages. Regular eye exams become even more important as you get older and are at increased risk for developing eye conditions. 

What are My Treatment Options for Presbyopia?

Aging is inevitable, and there’s no way to cure presbyopia. However, you have multiple options to manage its impact on your life. Heart of Texas Eye Care is devoted to helping each patient see a brighter future by providing innovative treatments and eye health education.

Evaluation for Contact Lenses

Most people manage vision problems like presbyopia with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Some people only need over-the-counter reading glasses for up-close tasks, while others need stronger prescription lenses. Our expert providers at Heart of Texas can evaluate your eyesight to help you determine if glasses or contacts are right for you and keep your prescription up to date.

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)

Contact lenses cause dryness and irritation for some people, and glasses may be an uncomfortable nuisance. If you want a more long-term solution for presbyopia that doesn’t require glasses or contacts, refractive lens exchange (RLE) may be the answer.

RLE is a vision correction procedure that replaces your natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens. Since presbyopia is the result of an aged lens, replacing the lens permanently corrects presbyopia and prevents cataracts. RLE can also correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.    

What is Presbyopia and How Does it Impact My Vision?

Presbyopia is an extremely common vision problem that occurs with age and leads to farsightedness. While children and young adults can also be farsighted, called hyperopia, almost all individuals over the age of 40 gradually develop some degree of farsightedness. 

Farsightedness makes it difficult to see clearly up close. If you have presbyopia or hyperopia, you may find it difficult to read or use digital devices without glasses. You may also hold books and devices at arm’s length since your eyes are more able to focus on distant objects.

Symptoms of presbyopia include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Difficulty reading or performing up-close tasks
  • Squinting or holding things at arm’s length
  • Eye strain and headaches

Though presbyopia and hyperopia both lead to the same symptoms of farsightedness, they are separate conditions with different causes. Both are the result of a refractive error, but hyperopia occurs when your eyeball is too short, whereas presbyopia occurs when the eye lens becomes less flexible with age.

How Can I Prevent Presbyopia?

Since presbyopia results from the natural aging process, it isn’t preventable. Everyone develops some degree of presbyopia as they age. However, certain conditions and factors may cause premature presbyopia, so there are steps you can take to avoid an early onset.

Some conditions that can lead to premature presbyopia include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and multiple sclerosis. Certain medications, including alcohol, antidepressants, and antihistamines, can increase your risk of premature presbyopia. Following a healthy lifestyle and avoiding potential risk factors can help you prevent the early onset of symptoms. 

An essential part of preventing or managing any eye condition is to have regular eye exams. This allows you to monitor and protect your eye health by detecting and treating problems in their early stages. Regular eye exams become even more important as you get older and are at increased risk for developing eye conditions. 

What are My Treatment Options for Presbyopia?

Aging is inevitable, and there’s no way to cure presbyopia. However, you have multiple options to manage its impact on your life. Heart of Texas Eye Care is devoted to helping each patient see a brighter future by providing innovative treatments and eye health education.

Evaluation for Contact Lenses

Most people manage vision problems like presbyopia with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Some people only need over-the-counter reading glasses for up-close tasks, while others need stronger prescription lenses. Our expert providers at Heart of Texas can evaluate your eyesight to help you determine if glasses or contacts are right for you and keep your prescription up to date.

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)

Contact lenses cause dryness and irritation for some people, and glasses may be an uncomfortable nuisance. If you want a more long-term solution for presbyopia that doesn’t require glasses or contacts, refractive lens exchange (RLE) may be the answer.

RLE is a vision correction procedure that replaces your natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens. Since presbyopia is the result of an aged lens, replacing the lens permanently corrects presbyopia and prevents cataracts. RLE can also correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.    

Take the
Next Step

Would you like to learn more about presbyopia and take the first step toward a clearer future? Then please fill out our online form or call us at (512) 213-2220 to get started with an in-person consultation at Heart of Texas Eye Care. Our courteous staff and board-certified ophthalmologists are here to assist you through every step of your journey!

Request a Consultation

Clearer Vision
Starts Here

If you’re ready for lasting vision correction with LASIK, a consultation for cataracts, or maybe blepharoplasty to rejuvenate aging eyes, our team can help. Or maybe it’s time for your yearly eye exam or maintenance Botox® injections. Click the button below to explore financing options for all your eye care needs.

View Our Financing Options

Clearer Vision
Starts Here

View Our Financing Options

If you’re ready for lasting vision correction with LASIK, a consultation for cataracts, or maybe blepharoplasty to rejuvenate aging eyes, our team can help. Or maybe it’s time for your yearly eye exam or maintenance Botox® injections. Click the button below to explore financing options for all your eye care needs.