What you need to know about presbyopia
Presbyopia is not an eye disease but the term that describes a condition caused by the normal ageing of the eye.
Ever had to move the newspaper or reading material to arm’s length to be able to focus properly? Experienced headaches and eyestrain when doing close work, blurry vision, and eye fatigue? These are the symptoms of presbyopia.
Presbyopia is not an eye disease but the term that describes a condition caused by the normal ageing of the eye.
What exactly happens in the eye? We have a lens situated behind the iris which changes shape constantly to keep objects in focus at different distances. As we get older, the lens becomes more rigid and adjusting the focus becomes more difficult. Presbyopia generally starts to appear around the age of 40.
Nearly everyone develops presbyopia. If you are myopic (near-sighted) or hyperopic (far-sighted) or have astigmatism, the conditions will combine. You can’t escape presbyopia, even if you have never needed spectacles before.
The next question that comes to mind is what can we do to correct presbyopia? This brings us to the subject of multifocal lenses. As the name implies, it is a lens with multiple focus points which will give you clear and comfortable vision at different distances.
A multifocal lens is the only lens that can combine clear and comfortable vision at different distances without having a line in the lens. The only disadvantage of the multifocal lens is its restricted fields of view. This takes time to adjust to, but new technology makes the adjustment so much easier.
The latest digital, high definition lens technology is now available in South Africa, which means optometrists use sophisticated machinery (CNC Lathes) and software to produce your lenses. They use computerised technology to enable them to provide a more personalised prescription multifocal lens.
This allows for more comfortable vision with wider fields of view and easier transition from distance to near. The software they use optimises your prescription to suit the lens material and your frame size. Digital instructions are sent to computer controlled lathes which grind your lenses optimally and precisely.
Gone are the days that multifocal lenses are synonymous with uncomfortable head movements and falling down stairs. The latest digital, high definition technology gives you wider fields of vision, the highest possible clarity and hence great comfort with your multifocal lenses.
- Information courtesy of Torga Optical Mall of the South.
