Reading Glasses – What is Presbyopia?

Most people haven't heard of Presbyopia until they need reading glasses.

If you’ve been noticing that it’s becoming harder to focus on printed words – your daily paper, for example, or work documents – you may be suffering from Presbyopia. This is a common condition in men and women over 40, and usually results in a prescription for reading glasses.

Reading Glasses and Presbyopia

Presbyopia occurs in most people, even those who already have their vision corrected by glasses or contact lenses. At some point, you are likely to notice that near-to tasks such as reading, sewing or writing become blurry, and that’s when you need to investigate reading glasses. You can spot the signs of Presbyopia if you have to strain your eyes to work at near-to tasks, which can also result in headaches, or if you notice that you have to hold printed material further away from your eyes in order for the words to be in focus. Classic examples of this are restaurant menus and letters. If you are noticing any change in your eyesight, you should talk to your optician – or book and appointment if you’ve never needed vision correction before – to discuss whether you need reading glasses and if so, what prescription will work for you.

Treating Presbyopia with Reading Glasses

Presbyopia is an age-related condition and is linked to the thickening or hardening of the lens inside your eye. As this lens becomes less flexible, you will find it harder to focus. These changes are often linked to protein levels, which can make both the lens and the muscles around it less supple. It’s because these changes are completely different to long and short-sightedness and astigmatism, which are all associated with changes in the shape of the eyeball itself, that even those who already have their vision corrected will suffer from Presbyopia as well as those who have had perfect vision. Diagnosing Presbyopia and prescribing reading glasses is the best treatment, and once you’ve had a diagnosis, you should visit your optician regularly to ensure that your prescription is still right for you.

Reading Glasses at Sight Station

If your optician has spotted Presbyopia in your eyes and suggested reading glasses, why not buy them online from Sight Station? We have a wide range of fantastic frames available in low prescription ranges – just right for people who need help reading close print. We maintain great low prices and we have a style to suit everyone. Take a look and buy online today, or call us on 01322 318 511.