Seeing Better After 40: Lens Options for Presbyopes
What Is Presbyopia?
If you're tired of having to stretch and squint to read the newspaper, see your speedometer or view your computer screen, you probably have presbyopia.
Presbyopia is the natural hardening of the lens in your eye that occurs in everyone as they age. It affects near vision first, then intermediate, or arm's length, vision.
This hardening process makes the lens in your eye much like the lens in a fixed focus camera. It can take pictures of distant objects clearly, but those taken up close come out dim and blurry.
Today, presbyopia is more correctable than ever before. There are several lens options we offer to restore your eyes' ability to focus.
Option 1- Reading Glasses
If your distance vision is still good, reading glasses may work for you. They're available in full size or half-glasses. Half glasses allow the reader to look over the top of the frame to view the distance uncorrected. The advantage is they provide a large area for near viewing. The disadvantage is they are limited to only one field of focus – if you wear full sized frames, you must remove them when looking in the distance.
Option 2 – Bifocals
If you need correction for both distance and near, bifocals serve both needs within the same lens. They come in many designs to fit various occupational needs and lifestyles. The advantage is that they eliminate the need to switch from one pair of glasses to another. The disadvantage is that the two fields of view are separated by an obvious line; the change from near to far is abrupt and can be annoying. They do not solve the problem of intermediate vision (i.e., your computer screen, prices on a supermarket shelf, your dashboard.)
Option 3 – Trifocals
These lenses try to correct intermediate vision by providing 3 distinct fields of vision in the same lens (one for distance, intermediate and near).
Each field is divided by a line. The advantage is it does provide for intermediate vision; the disadvantage is that the added line can make adjusting even more difficult than with bifocals. They are less cosmetically appealing.
Option 4 – Progressive Lenses
Progressives are a more recent development than bifocals or trifocals. They imitate the action of the human eye, providing the full range of focus from near to intermediate to distance gradually, without lines, separations or interruptions. They have a cosmetic advantage in that they look exactly like single vision lenses. Many people get used to them immediately; some need a slight adjustment period. Once you are comfortable with them, it can be hard to imagine life without them.
Need More Information?
For comments or questions contact:
uoc@sunyopt.edu | 1-888-277-5666