About PresbyopiaPresbyopia is one of the first changes that results from the Crystalline Lens losing its flexibility. Presbyopia begins at around age 40 and progresses until about age 65. Until approximately the age of 40, the Crystalline Lens is both “crystal “ clear and quite soft and flexible. This flexibility allows the Crystalline Lens to change its shape and alter its curvature so that it can help focus your vision at various distances-from far, to near, to arms length, to far or near again. This flexibility gives you the ability to see things at all distances.
Around the time we enter our 40’s, the Crystalline Lens begins to stiffen. The stiffening of the Crystalline Lens makes it progressively more difficult to change focus and thus to see clearly at all distances. Usually this reduces our ability to see objects clearly at arms length or close objects, or reading material. When this loss of flexibility occurs, it is called Presbyopia or “old eyes’. Presbyopia is a normal and expected consequence of growing older and it affects everyone, even those people with Cataracts. As the Crystalline Lens loses its ability to flex and change shape, it is no longer able to bend light rays. This results in a gradual and progressive loss of your ability to focus on near objects.
As patients begin to experience Presbyopia they often notice that their "arms are too short" requiring them to see up close by moving near objects and reading material farther away in order to bring them into focus and see them clearly. It is important to know that Presbyopia affects everyone including those who have Cataracts.
As Presbyopia begins, people who have never worn eyeglasses find that they need reading glasses or bifocals in order to read and see up close. People who already wear glasses may need bifocals or trifocals in order to see comfortably up close.
There have been many advances in eye care that can help people to see clearly at near and for arms length distances without being dependent on eyeglasses, readers or bifocals. For those patients with cataracts, advances in cataract surgery and lens implant surgery techniques allow us to offer presbyopia near vision correction multifocal lens implants. Such premium lens replacement surgery can help patients achieve clear distance vision as well restore their normal range of vision by decreasing one’s dependency on eyeglasses, bifocals or reading glasses.
Coastal Eye Care provides medical, laser and surgical eye care for patients and is conveniently located for Eastern and Downeast Maine eye care patients.
To schedule an appointment for an eye examination, please call Coastal Eye Care in Maine at 207.667.6300.
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