Help for Aging Eyes in Phoenix
The most common reasons people need help from an optometrist to achieve proper vision are refractive errors like Presbyopia. Other refractive errors such as hyperopia (regular farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), and astigmatism all warrant a trip to see your eye doctors in Phoenix, but Presbyopia is unique.
What is Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is different because it is directly related to the aging process. Translated literally, the term means "old eye" in Greek.
A line, which may or may not be discernible, divides your lens. The part of your lens below that line refracts light for close up vision. The upper portion refracts light allowing you to see distant objects.
For this to occur, your lens needs to be soft and flexible. Unfortunately, over time that flexibility begins to falter, and as the flexibility declines so does vision quality. This process normally begins after age 40 and is different from regular farsightedness, which is caused by an irregularly shaped eye.
Treatment Options for Presbyopia
For most people, presbyopia can be corrected with eyeglasses. If nearsightedness is present as well, bifocals or trifocals may be required.
For those who prefer contact lenses, two types help with Presbyopia:
- • Monovision contacts correct one eye for distance vision and the other for close-up vision. Some people find they lose their ability to judge the distance or speed of objects with Monovision lenses.
- • Multifocal contacts have several zones set at different powers. With a multifocal contact, you are using both near and far vision simultaneously, but your brain learns to automatically select which focus is right for what you want to see.
Those who are especially bothered by Presbyopia can also consider options such as refractive surgery or corneal inlays.
- • Refractive or LASIK Surgery – LASIK restores monovision and generally eliminates the need for corrective lenses. We often suggest a patient tries monovision contacts before having LASIK surgery to ensure that it will be a comfortable option for them.
- • Corneal Inlays – CLEAR (Clear Lens Extraction and Replacement) is a procedure similar to cataract surgery. Implanted in the corneas through a minimally invasive surgical procedure, these inlays restore close-up vision.
Recognizing Presbyopia and Finding the Right Solution for You
The first signs of Presbyopia may include a tendency to hold reading material farther away than earlier in life, eyestrain or headaches after prolonged reading or doing close-up work, and blurred vision.
Contact Us Today
Eye Doctors of Arizona, located in Downtown Phoenix, North Phoenix, and the Biltmore area, can help you manage your condition. We understand eye problems in seniors.
Call us at (602) 257-8280 to learn more or to schedule an appointment.