Holding your phone at arm’s length to read a message? Needing brighter light for menus? These are classic signs of presbyopia, the age-related change in focusing that affects nearly everyone from their early 40s.
Why it happens
The lens inside your eye changes shape to focus on near objects. With age, it becomes stiffer and cannot change shape as easily, so close work blurs. It is a normal part of ageing, not a disease, and it slowly progresses until around 60.
Common signs
- Holding reading material further away
- Blurred print, especially in dim light
- Eye strain or headaches after close work
- Difficulty threading a needle or reading medicine labels
Your options
- Reading glasses for close work only
- Progressive lenses for distance, computer and reading in one pair
- Office lenses designed for desk and screen distance
- Multifocal contact lenses or monovision, where one eye is set for near
- Lens-based surgery, sometimes combined with cataract surgery, for those who want fewer glasses
Should I just buy readers from a shop?
Ready-made readers can help, but they assume both eyes need the same power and do not correct astigmatism. More importantly, your 40s are when conditions like glaucoma start to appear. A full eye check-up makes sure nothing else is going on.
Read about our glasses and lens options or book an eye test.
Frequently asked questions
Will reading glasses make my eyes weaker?
No. Presbyopia progresses with age whether or not you wear glasses. Glasses simply make near work comfortable.
Can LASIK fix presbyopia?
Standard LASIK does not stop presbyopia. Some techniques and lens procedures can reduce dependence on reading glasses. Your doctor can tell you what suits your eyes.
Sources
This article is for general information and does not replace an examination by an eye doctor. If you have symptoms, please book a consultation.