Also serving patients in Fort Lauderdale
Presbyopia, also known as age-related farsightedness, is characterized by the loss of ability to focus on near objects. Symptoms of presbyopia begin around age 40 as the crystalline lens gets harder and unable to change its shape on demand. Most people are between 40 and 50 years when they realize for the first time that they have difficulty reading close up. The letters of the phonebook are “too small” or you have to hold the newspaper farther away from your eye to see it clearly. At the same time your ability to focus on objects that are far way remains normal.
Laser Eye Center of Miami uses the latest technology to provide you with the professional care you want and deserve. Our eye doctors will conduct a comprehensive eye exam with a specific test to make sure that one of the options below will be the right one for you.
Presbyopia Correction Options
Even though reading glasses are always a great and convenient option to correct presbyopia, ever since the different refractive surgeries have been available, we see more and more people enjoying of life without having to carry a pair of glasses with them at all times in their purses or pockets, or having to have a pair of the known as “readers” in every corner of their homes and workplaces.
LASIK, with the option of Monovision which consists of correcting the dominant eye for distance (Myopia, Hyperopia and/or Astigmatism)and the fellow eye for reading, has been a great way to eliminate or reduce the dependency of glasses.
Other options are the multifocal intraocular lenses Tecnis® and Symfony. This type of procedure is used on patients that have been diagnosed with cataracts but is also may be performed on people that want to minimize their dependency on glasses for near, far and in-between vision and are getting close to an age in which cataract surgery may be in their near future.
Presbyopia FAQs
What are the Benefits of Clear Lens Extraction for Presbyopia?
Reading glasses, or “readers,” were the primary treatment for presbyopia for many years, but advanced technologies and techniques in ophthalmology offer new options that can eliminate corrective eyewear.
Clear lens extraction is performed the same as cataract surgery, removing the clear lens and implanting an artificial lens that corrects your vision for all refractive errors. The procedure removes the future risk of developing cataracts because your natural eye lens is gone and offers a permanent solution to your vision needs. You can enjoy an active lifestyle unencumbered by glasses or contact lenses.
What Should I Do if I Think I Have Presbyopia?
It’s a good idea to schedule an eye exam whenever you notice vision changes. Presbyopia happens to everyone as they age, but you don’t have to buy a dozen pairs of readers to allow you to read menus and prescription bottles and perform detailed tasks. Our eye doctors can diagnose presbyopia during your appointment and discuss your treatment options.
Eye diseases are also more common when you get older, and an eye exam is the only way to diagnose these conditions early. Age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and cataracts can affect your ability to see clearly and may cause irreversible vision loss if not treated right away.
Does Presbyopia Affect My Ability to See at Night?
Presbyopia can cause difficulty driving at night due to the glare from oncoming headlights. However, your eyes go through many changes from natural aging. Pupils tend to get smaller or shrink with age, which affects the sharpness of your vision. The light-sensitive tissue lining the back of your eye (retina) also changes, with fewer light receptors that allow the black-and-white eyesight required for night driving.
Reading markers and road signs is difficult due to these eye changes, and bright headlights may impair your vision, making driving at night difficult and unsafe for some.
Is My Previous LASIK Eye Surgery Wearing Off?
Many people mistakenly think their LASIK results are wearing off when they reach their 40s, but the issue is presbyopia. LASIK reshapes the corneal surface to correct the abnormal shape causing your poor vision. These changes provide permanent improvement for your prescription at the time of surgery. Laser eye surgery does not affect the natural eye lens, which is the culprit behind presbyopia, and LASIK can’t prevent or cause it.
Can Diet Changes Improve My Near Vision?
A healthy, balanced diet is important for your overall well-being, including your eyes. Eating foods rich in Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids can support ocular health and decrease your risk of certain eye diseases. However, diet changes and supplements can’t prevent or reverse presbyopia because it is caused by the natural hardening of your eye lens.
Will Blurry Near Vision Lead to Blindness?
Presbyopia is the age-related loss of crisp near vision. It may affect your night vision and ability to see objects nearby and cause headaches, but presbyopia will not lead to blindness. Other age-related conditions can cause blindness or permanent vision loss, including macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. That’s why it’s crucial to schedule an eye exam as soon as you experience vision changes.
Contact Us
To find out which option is best suited for your vision correction in Miami or Ft. Lauderdale, schedule a consultation with our renowned eye specialists by calling (305) 443-4733.