If you are over the age of 40 and you are beginning to notice changes to your near vision, presbyopia is a likely culprit. Different than hyperopia, presbyopia is an eye condition that affects your near vision due to age. As part of the natural aging process, presbyopia actually translates to “old eye” in Greek. So while hyperopia refers to near vision affected by a distorted shape of the eyeball, presbyopia is a condition that occurs naturally in everyone later in life.
Presbyopia cannot be prevented and will affect everyone in time, even those who have always had clear vision. So if you are between the ages of 40 and 50 and you are starting to notice changes to your near vision, you might be experiencing an onset of presbyopia. Not to worry though, because simple corrective solutions such as prescription glasses can help you continue to see clearly.
Presbyopia Symptoms
While you should always consult your optometrist for a professional diagnosis when you notice changes in your vision, many people tend to become aware of presbyopia on their own. You might be able to identify an onset of presbyopia if:
- You have always had perfect vision but have begun to experience blurriness when looking at letters at close ranges
- Close-up tasks start to make you feel fatigued or cause you to strain your eyes
- You notice yourself holding reading materials at a distance to see them more clearly
For many adults, picking up a pair of reading glasses from the pharmacy might seem like an easy solution for these problems, but you should never self-diagnose. A trip to your optometrist will help you get a formal diagnosis so you can seek treatment, and then your eye doctor can also rule out other conditions that could be causing your vision to change. Sometimes there can be more serious conditions that are affecting your vision, and you might misinterpret the symptoms.
If you have noticed changes to your vision, whether you believe it to be presbyopia or you aren’t quite sure what the reason is, contact Dr. Ryczek for an appointment. Early diagnosis often leads to more effective treatment, especially if your condition is serious. To contact our St. Petersburg optometry office, call directly at 727-327-8855 to speak to a friendly member of our staff.
