Presbyopia is the gradual loss of near-focusing ability as we age. At first, people can still focus on nearby objects; reading glasses are not needed. But by the time they reach 40 years old, most people need a pair of reading glasses to read a book or newspaper. By 50 years old, they will probably need reading glasses all the time. In most cases, you cannot correct presbyopia with surgery or medicine. The only effective treatment is a pair of reading glasses. If you want to learn more about presbyopia, you have come to the right place. If you have any symptoms related to presbyopia, make sure you visit a Bronx presbyopia specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment. Here are some treatment options you can take advantage of.
Glasses
One of the most common treatments for presbyopia is glasses. Those who begin to develop symptoms and need help reading small print will usually start with a simple pair of reading glasses. Those who already wear glasses may begin to use bifocals or trifocals. Of course, if the patient only needs the glasses for close-up vision, they can use reading glasses.
Contact Lenses
If glasses are not convenient or do not work for the patient, they can also use contact lenses. These lenses are made out of a unique material that can focus light on bending and directing it toward the retina. Sometimes, reading glasses don’t work because they get in the way or because you need them for more than just reading. If this is your case, contact lenses may be an option to consider. However, wearing contact lenses comes with certain drawbacks. If you are not careful, they can quickly become dirty, making them very uncomfortable to wear. Contact lenses also have a higher chance of developing bacterial or fungal infections, so you must take proper care of your contact lenses.
Surgery
If glasses and contact lenses are not an option for you, surgery may help. There are several different types of surgery, but they all do the same thing; they create a small hole in the cornea that will allow light to focus and direct it toward your retina. This procedure is called refractive surgery or laser-assisted in situ keratomileuses (LASIK). This procedure aims to change the shape of your cornea so that it can bend light properly and focus it on the retina. The procedure only takes a few minutes, but you will have to wait one day to see success. If everything is going well, you should be able to return home within a couple of hours after undergoing this surgery. After leaving the hospital, your surgeon may recommend that you wear an eye patch for a few days.
In summary, presbyopia is a condition that develops as we age, and it cannot be cured with medicine or surgery. However, there are many treatment options available to help you deal with your condition so you can enjoy reading without having to squint all the time. If you have any symptoms related to presbyopia, make sure you visit a presbyopia specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment.