Do I need reading glasses?

Many of us notice that beginning in our 40s, our near vision is blurred. We can’t read or work on the computer comfortably. This is called, presbyopia. Presbyopia is a condition where the eye exhibits a progressively diminished ability to focus on near objects with age. Presbyopia happens to everyone at some point in life, even those who never had a vision problem before.

Signs and Symptoms of Presbyopia
When people first develop presbyopia, they find they need to hold reading material farther away. When they perform other near work, such as sewing, handwriting or computer work they may experience headaches, eyestrain or feel fatigued.

The Cause of Presbyopia
Presbyopia is caused by birthdays (the aging process). This is different from nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, which are a related to the shape of the eye and caused by genetics, disease or trauma. Presbyopia is caused by the gradual loss of flexibility in the natural lens inside your eye. With less elasticity, the eye has a harder time focusing up close.

The Treatments for Presbyopia
Eyeglasses, contact lenses and refractive surgery are all available treatments for presbyopia. Computer glasses, reading glasses or all-in-one (progressive) glasses can be specially designed for your unique situation or working condition.

There are pros and cons of each treatment because the human lens continues to change as you grow older (and wiser), your presbyopic prescription will increase over time. Your doctor will discuss all your options with you and come up with the best possible treatment plan.

To schedule an appointment, please contact Sonoma Eyeworks Optometry at 707-578-4200.