Presbyopia in Cape Coral, FL

When a man or woman nears 40 years of age, their near vision, unfortunately, begins to decline. This vision impairment is called presbyopia, and it reduces the ability to see things that are at short range. Presbyopia is a common and normal part of the natural aging process. It happens because as we age, certain parts of our eyes simply start to become hardened. Nearly everyone, even patients who have enjoyed clear eyesight throughout life, may begin to notice that they have to position books or other objects at arm's distance to see them clearly. Many also experience migraines or aching eyes from activities that never bothered them before. At his practice in Cape Coral, FL, ophthalmologist Dr. James Croley can talk to you about some great options to enhance your ocular health if you are experiencing age-related blurred vision. Call the Cataract & Refractive Institute of Florida to schedule an appointment today. We also have locations in Lehigh Acres and Bonita Springs.

People with presbyopia will usually first notice that they can't see objects that are close up as well as before. A telltale indication of presbyopia is realizing you have to position things at arm's distance in order to see them. A further indication is developing headaches or aching eyes after particular activities, such as reading or using a mobile device. Also quite common is the false belief that the declining vision is because of insufficient lighting. Presbyopia often starts to show up at around 40 years of age, and if neglected, its symptoms can become more pronounced.

Despite the fact that the majority of refractive visual conditions are the result of irregular eye shape, age-related vision impairment is not. The proteins that help make up the eye's lens are impacted by age, primarily after a man or woman turns 40 years old, causing the lens to harden and becoming less pliable. The aging process also impacts the muscle fibers encircling the lens. They gradually become weaker and less flexible. Due to this, it is harder for the lens to relax or become tense, which is necessary to be able to focus. All of these changes within the proteins and muscle fibers of the lens progress naturally as we age. Therefore, presbyopia eventually becomes more pronounced the older we get.

Dr. Croley will perform a comprehensive eye exam to effectively determine whether you have presbyopia. He might also perform a series of eyesight tests to detect the degree of the presbyopia and measure the level of correction necessary. Since presbyopia is a vision impairment that stems from the lens of the eye, we may have to use special eye drops to dilate your pupils. The dilation will allow Dr. Croley to carefully check the inner parts of your eyes and determine how well your lenses are working. With these tests, he will be able to determine the most effective course of action for your particular case.

Many people manage their presbyopia using eyeglasses with specially made lenses. Out of these special lenses, progressive and bifocal lenses are the most popular. Progressive lenses act just like multifocal lenses but look exactly like traditional lenses since they don't have visible lines. They can create clear vision at multiple distances. Bifocal lenses usually have a visible line close to the bottom half, which is used for short-range vision. Both of these lenses can also be great treatments if you have other refractive vision impairments besides presbyopia. Many people with presbyopia like to only use reading glasses (often referred to as "cheaters") and take them off when they aren't needed for close-up tasks.

Multifocal contact lenses can also be worn to restore sharp vision, and monovision contacts are a good choice for people who have both age-related vision loss and nearsightedness. Also, there are some surgical treatments that can be advantageous in diminishing the blurred vision of presbyopia. Dr. Croley is happy to navigate you toward the most effective form of treatment and evaluate whether you might be eligible for certain surgical procedures.

Blurriness in close-up vision, specifically in men and women over 40 years old, is nearly always presbyopia. This is a normal, age-related vision impairment that is manageable with the right glasses or contacts. At Cataract & Refractive Institute of Florida, Dr. James Croley can help you get rid of the problems that come with poor near vision. Call us today at our Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, or Bonita Springs, FL office for your comprehensive eye exam.