Need for Bifocals (Presbyopia)
Presbyopia is a condition that makes your close-up vision blurry due to age. If you are over the age of 40, and focusing on objects is becoming a problem, our optometrist at Royal Oak Optical in Calgary can prescribe bifocals to help your vision at all distances.
What Is Presbyopia?
The lens of our eyes are soft and flexible, which makes it possible for us to focus on objects at a distance and close-up. As we get older, the lens becomes more rigid and hard, and it can no longer flex correctly. When this happens, it becomes a challenge to focus on objects close-up.
Risk Factors for Presbyopia?
Certain factors can increase your risk of developing presbyopia.
- Age: Anyone over the age of 40 can develop this condition
- Medications: Certain medications can cause premature presbyopia such as diuretics, antidepressants, and antihistamines.
- Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions put you at higher risk such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, vascular insufficiency, and cardiovascular disease.
Symptoms of Presbyopia
Presbyopia can cause a few different symptoms.
- Needing to hold a reading material further away to see it clearly
- Blurry vision when holding a reading material at a normal distance
- Headaches and eyestrain after long periods of close-up work
Treating Presbyopia
When you develop presbyopia, the treatment that you would require would depend on whether you are already nearsighted. If you didn’t have the condition beforehand, you are probably better off with nonprescription reading glasses. However, you will need bifocals if you cannot find the right magnification to correct your vision. Bifocals have one prescription on the top of the lens for your distance vision, and a separate prescription at the bottom of the lens for reading. If you wear contacts, your optometrist can fit you with a pair of bifocal contact lenses. They work the same way that bifocal glasses do.
If you suspect that you have presbyopia, schedule an appointment with Royal Oak Optical in Calgary. We can fit you with a pair of glasses to help you to see clearly. Call us today at 403-218-2020.
