{"id":27400,"date":"2024-08-26T16:32:13","date_gmt":"2024-08-26T14:32:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/what-is-presbyopiasymptoms-and-correction-of-presbyopia-presbyopia\/"},"modified":"2024-10-02T20:28:43","modified_gmt":"2024-10-02T18:28:43","slug":"what-is-presbyopiasymptoms-and-correction-of-presbyopia-presbyopia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/what-is-presbyopiasymptoms-and-correction-of-presbyopia-presbyopia\/","title":{"rendered":"What is presbyopia?\nSymptoms and correction of presbyopia \/ presbyopia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Presbyopia<\/strong>, also known as presbyopia<\/strong>, affects almost everyone over a certain age.\nIf reading suddenly becomes more strenuous, your arms appear “too short” and the writing on your smartphone or in books becomes increasingly blurred, this is usually due to this natural ageing process<\/strong> of the eye<\/strong>.\nBut what exactly is presbyopia<\/strong>?\nHow does it differ from other visual defects<\/strong> such as short-sightedness<\/strong>, long-sightedness<\/strong> and astigmatism<\/strong>?\nAnd above all, what treatment options<\/strong> are available to restore sharp vision<\/strong>? <\/p>\n\n

What is presbyopia? <\/h2>\n\n

Presbyopia<\/strong>, also known as presbyopia<\/strong> or presbyopia<\/strong>, is a natural change in the eye<\/strong> that occurs with increasing age<\/strong>.\nFrom around the age of 40 to 45, many people notice that they find it difficult to see<\/strong> nearby objects<\/strong> clearly and sharply<\/strong>.\nThis visual impairment is particularly noticeable when reading, when text suddenly becomes blurred<\/strong> or out of<\/strong> focus<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

The cause lies in the elasticity<\/strong> of the lens of the eye<\/strong>.\nWith increasing age, the lens loses its natural flexibility<\/strong> and therefore also its ability to adjust to different distances<\/strong>.\nThis loss of the eye’s refractive power<\/strong> means that the so-called “near point”, i.e. the point at which an object is still perceived in focus<\/strong>, moves further and further away from the eye.\nThis explains why many people of a certain age need reading glasses<\/strong> to be able to see<\/strong> clearly at close range again. <\/p>\n\n

Presbyopia<\/strong> affects almost everyone in the course of their lives and is not a disease, but a normal part of the ageing process<\/strong> of the eye.\nAs presbyopia is caused by a decrease in lens flexibility, it cannot be completely corrected<\/strong> by simple corrections<\/strong> such as those for short-sightedness or long-sightedness<\/strong>.\nInstead, it requires special visual aids<\/strong> such as glasses<\/strong> or contact lenses<\/strong> to restore<\/strong> sharp<\/strong> near<\/strong> vision<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

It is important to understand that presbyopia, which is often mistakenly equated with long-sightedness<\/strong> (medically known as hyperopia<\/strong>), is a separate form of defective vision<\/strong>.\nWhile long-sightedness is usually present from birth and is based on the eye’s refractive power<\/strong> being too low, presbyopia only develops with increasing age<\/strong> and mainly affects near vision<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

Differentiation from other visual defects such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness & astigmatism <\/h3>\n\n

Short-sightedness (myopia)<\/h4>\n\n

With short-sightedness or myopia<\/a>, those affected can see close objects clearly, while distant objects appear blurred.\nThis visual defect occurs when the eyeball is too long or the refractive power of the eye<\/strong> is too strong, so that light is focused in front of the retina<\/strong>.\nIn contrast to presbyopia<\/strong>, which is caused by the natural ageing process of the<\/strong> lens<\/strong>, short-sightedness<\/strong> often occurs in childhood or adolescence and persists throughout life. <\/p>\n\n

\"Woman<\/figure>\n\n

Farsightedness (hyperopia)<\/h4>\n\n

Farsightedness, medically known as hyperopia<\/a>, is a condition in which distant objects appear sharp but close objects appear blurred.\nThis visual defect is caused by the eyeball being too short or the refractive power of<\/strong> the eye lens<\/strong> being too low, causing light to focus behind the retina.\nAlthough farsightedness<\/strong> and presbyopia both<\/strong>affect near vision<\/strong>, they differ in their origin: farsightedness<\/strong> is often congenital or develops early in life, while presbyopia<\/strong> is almost exclusively caused by the loss of lens flexibility with age. <\/p>\n\n

Astigmatism (curvature of the cornea)<\/h4>\n\n

Astigmatism, also known as corneal curvature<\/a>, occurs when the cornea<\/strong> or lens is unevenly<\/strong>curved, resulting in distorted or blurred vision at all distances.\nInstead of focusing light evenly on the retina, astigmatism<\/strong> causes irregular refraction of light, making it difficult to see clearly<\/strong>.\nThis visual defect can occur<\/strong>in combination with short-sightedness<\/strong>, long-sightedness<\/strong> or presbyopia<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

Causes of presbyopia (presbyopia)<\/h2>\n\n

Loss of lens elasticity<\/h4>\n\n

The main factor in the development of presbyopia<\/strong> is the loss of elasticity<\/strong> in the lens of the eye<\/strong>.\nAt a young age, the lens is flexible and can easily change its shape to focus on objects at different distances<\/strong>.\nThis process, known as accommodation<\/strong>, allows us to see both near and far objects clearly. <\/p>\n\n

However, as we age, the lens loses its flexibility and can no longer curve as much as it needs to for sharp<\/strong> near vision<\/strong>.\nThis loss of adaptability means that the eye<\/strong>has difficulty<\/strong>focusing on close objects, causing them to appear<\/strong> blurred<\/strong> or out of focus. <\/p>\n\n

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Changes in the lens structure<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the loss of elasticity, there is also a thickening and hardening of the lens<\/strong> itself.\nOver the years, protein molecules are deposited in the lens, making it more rigid.\nThese changes also contribute to the lens losing its ability to accommodate.\nAs a result of this increasing hardening<\/strong> and thickening, the point at which the eye<\/strong> can still focus clearly on close objects shifts further and further into the distance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decrease in muscle strength<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Another factor that contributes to presbyopia<\/strong> is the decrease in muscle strength of the ciliary muscles that control the lens<\/strong> in the eye<\/strong>.\nThese muscles are responsible for curving the lens, changing the refractive power of the eye<\/strong> to see near objects in focus.\n As we age<\/strong>, these muscles lose strength, which makes it more difficult for them to deform the lens sufficiently.\nThis also causes close objects<\/strong> to appear blurred. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Portrait<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Symptoms of presbyopia \/ presbyopia <\/h2>\n\n