Presbyopia
As it’s just another side effect of ageing, all of us will experience presbyopia in our lives. It’s a gradual process, but you’ll start to notice change in close vision from around the age of 40.
What are the symptoms of presbyopia?
- You find it difficult reading small print
- You have to hold things at arm’s length to see clearly
- Vision is blurred at normal reading distance
It’s fairly obvious to recognise the symptoms of presbyopia. You’ll find it starts to get difficult doing close-up tasks, like reading or sewing. The further you hold something from you, the clearer it gets. This is why you’ll notice lots of people holding things at arm’s length to see clearer.
What causes presbyopia?
The flexible, crystalline lens in the front of the eye allows us to see clearly up close and far away. But as we get older – from around the age of 40 – this lens naturally starts to lose its elasticity, which affects your ability to focus.
Even if you have never needed glasses, you will find that you’ll need reading glasses later in life.
What help is available?
It may be that all you need is a pair of prescription reading glasses to make close word easier. Or you may already have glasses, but would benefit from bifocals, which combine close, midrange and distance vision into one pair of glasses.
If contact lenses are more suited to you – we have a great range of multifocal contact lenses that are designed to accommodate for varying vision types in one lens, like they would in bifocal glasses.
Did you know?
AA Members are entitled to a free eye test (valued at $60), once every two years. Remember to present your AA Membership card in store.
Frequently asked questions
Free exam for AA Members applies to standard eye examinations only, normally valued at $60. Excludes contact lens examination and visual field checks. Limited to one per AA Member every two years. Available to current AA Members upon presentation of AA Membership card.