Presbyopia

A woman holds her head as she experiences headache while looking into digital screen for long hours.

Have you started to increase the font size on your screens? Or are you catching yourself pushing reading material further from you to see better? You may also be noticing your eyes feel tired and strained by the end of the work day.

A woman holding the temples of her head due to headache due to eye strain while looking into a digital screen.

These are common signs of something called presbyopia. Presbyopia is not an eye disease, but a natural part of the eye’s aging process. When we are young, the internal lens of the eye which sits just behind the coloured iris is able to flex and change shape. This flexibility allows the eye to switch focus from far to near, in a process called “accommodation”. As time passes the lens naturally becomes more rigid and reading ability is progressively lost. Although presbyopia starts becoming symptomatic around the age of 40, the process can start even earlier.

Presbyopia is a refractive status that requires correction to alleviate. It is not a muscle weakness or condition that eye exercises or training can prevent. An optometrist will most commonly prescribe reading glasses, progressive addition lenses, bifocals, and contact lenses, or can even recommend surgical options. Researchers are also working on eye drops which restore some of the focusing ability of the lens. Reading correction is not a “one size fits all” solution. Although your optometrist may also suggest improvements to your reading conditions, there are many customizable nuances to the above options that can maximize ease of use and adaptation time.

A woman uses glasses to read a book in a grey background to overcome the symptoms of presbyopia.

The correct strength of the prescription should always be determined through a comprehensive eye exam. Although everyone experiences presbyopia, it is important to determine if there are any other refractive statuses, binocular function issues, or ocular health problems that may compromise reading ability. In an increasingly digital world, it is tempting to normalize discomfort after periods of near work. At Spectrum Eye Care, your optometrist will take the time to ask the right questions, thoroughly examine the eyes, and prescribe the best possible solution for your lifestyle.

Dr. Chris Mariella

Dr. Chris Mariella

Dr. Mariella graduated from the New England College of Optometry in Boston, Massachusetts where he received his Doctor of Optometry. Prior to this, he attended McMaster University earning his Bachelor of Science with Honors. While studying optometry in the United States, Dr. Mariella completed externships in New York and Massachusetts, including at the Veterans Affairs Hudson Valley and Boston Medical Center. He resided on the Beta Sigma Kappa Honor’s society for his 4 years of schooling. He is dedicated to providing his patients with a full spectrum of eye care including the management of refractive and binocular conditions, cataracts, retinal disease, and glaucoma. He is certified to prescribe topical and oral therapeutic agents. Dr. Mariella is an active member of the Ontario Association of Optometrists and the College of Optometrists of Ontario As a native of Stoney Creek, Dr. Mariella’s interests include playing soccer and golf, walking his golden retriever, and playing the piano.

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