So, What Is Presbyopia?

A lot of people have heard the term Presbyopia before, but not everyone knows the whole story.  While the word may sound  complicated, the condition is actually quite simple to understand.  Presbyopia is a change in our eyes’ ability to focus on close objects.  This change is a natural part of the aging process, and it usually presents itself when folks are in their 40s.

Common signs of presbyopia include:

• Blurry vision when focusing on close-up objects
• Trouble reading small print, especially in low light
• Holding objects far away from the face to see them better
• Headaches

So, why does presbyopia happen?  The lens of the eye is responsible for keeping objects in focus.  The unique flexibility of the lens allows us to focus on distant objects as well as close-up objects.   Presbyopia occurs when this soft lens begins to harden, reducing its flexibility and hindering the eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects.

Thankfully, there are many things we can do about it.  Read on to find out a few ways we treat presbyopia today.

Presbyopia Treatments

For some patients, eyeglasses or contact lenses may be enough to combat their presbyopia symptoms.  In more serious cases, or for those wishing to avoid corrective lenses, modern ophthalmology offers a few  solutions.

Here are two of the most common ways we treat presbyopia today:

• CK Surgery: CK Surgery for Presbyopia, also known as Conductive Keratoplasty, is a non-invasive, non-laser treatment.  Instead of a scalpel, a CK procedure uses radio-frequency energy to reshape the cornea and change the way the eye focuses light.
• Presbyopic IOL: A Presbyopic IOL is a replacement lens aimed at total vision correction.  These IOLs, such as the ReSTOR® Multifocal Lens, are implanted through a safe procedure similar to that of a cataract patient.  Furthermore, presbyopic IOLs have the added benefit of preventing cataracts from developing in the future, as the natural lens is completely replaced.

Ophthalmologist in Winchester

To learn more about presbyopia treatment or to schedule an appointment at our Winchester Ophthalmology Offices, we encourage you to contact us today.  We can be reached at (540) 722-6200 and look forward to meeting you soon.

Source: http://www.seeclear.com/blog/presbyopia/so-what-is-presbyopia

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