What is Presbyopia (Age-related Long Sight) How to get treatment

Hi All, In todays post let us understand about Presbyopia, it causes, symptoms and treatments available.

What is Presbyopia?

When the eye lens looses the ability to focus, the condition is called as presbyopia. This condition makes it difficult for the person to see objects which are at arm’s distance.

                                                                    pic source: allaboutvision

What Causes Presbyopia?

Eye lenses have to change its shape and length in order to focus on small objects or on objects which are far or close by the lens. This ability of the eye lens is called elasticity. With the age, this ability of the lens is lost which decreases the ability of the eyes to see nearby objects. This is a normal part of aging process which affects almost everyone. Elderly people, who have crossed the age of 45 years, realize this condition when they have to hold their books little away from them, so that they can read the contents.

What are the Symptoms of Presbyopia?

There are three very specific symptoms of this condition:

• Disability to focus on nearby objects
• Eyestrain
• Headache

What are the tests done to examine this condition?

Doctors perform a detail eye examination, including lens measurement which determines the prescription for contact lenses and glasses.
Test includes:

• Thorough check-up of the retina
• Testing the muscle integrity of the eyes
• Eye refraction test
• Slit-lamp testing
• Visual acuity testing

What are the treatments for curing Presbyopia?

• Till date no treatment has cured this condition, but this can be corrected with contact lenses and eye glasses. In few cases, bifocals are placed to existing lenses, which is enough to correct the problem. But, as the age grows and the ability to focus the close object worsens, this bifocal placement needs to be changed.
• By the age of 65, the elasticity of the lens which is needed to focus the close objects is lost and it becomes more difficult to focus properly on close by objects. At the later stage of this condition, the patients have to hold books, papers and magazine farther away and need larger and light prints to read properly. People, who don’t have problem seeing distant objects, need not have to wear glasses. They may need half glasses which is also known as reading glasses. People having near sightedness may take off their glasses to read.
• Contact lenses are used which rectifies one eye for far and one eye for near vision. This is known as “mono vision”. This eliminates the requirement of bifocals and reading glasses, but it this affect depth perception. In some cases, mono vision is produced due to laser vision correction. There are bifocal eye lenses which can correct both far and near vision of both the eyes.
• There are certain new surgical procedures which provide solutions for patients who do not want glasses or contacts lenses.

Prognosis of Presbyopia

Vision problem can be rectified with contact lenses or glasses.

What are the possible complications associated with this condition?

If the vision is not corrected, condition gets worsen over the period of time. This causes problem with lifestyle, driving, reading, or work.

Can we prevent this ailment from occurring?

There are no confirmed or scientific methods to prevent this ailment. However, following few nutritious diets can help you overcome this problem during your young age itself. These nutritious diets should include:

• Eating fruits and vegetable rich in antioxidants and vitamin A.
• Drinking one glass of milk daily. It’s the full nutrition for your entire body.
• Leafy vegetables such as spinach should be included in your daily diet plan.
• An egg every day is a must. Make sure your having boiled eggs than fried ones.

Health, if taken care properly from right age, will give you a healthy old age!!!