If you find yourself stretching out your arms to read a menu while out for dinner, you could be experiencing symptoms of presbyopia.
This article is in partnership with Boots opticians
It’s no secret that our eyesight has a tendency to deteriorate with time. And while it’s something that many of us have come to accept and live with, you could actually be dealing with a very common condition that comes with simple solutions. This is what you need to know about presbyopia.
What is presbyopia?
Presbyopia is simply the scientific term for gradual loss of the eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects. It is a condition which affects almost all of us to some degree as we age, usually from the age of 40 onwards.
In fact, according to a recent survey, 62% of 42-65 year olds have experienced symptoms of presbyopia, including difficulty reading small print (61%), difficulty reading up close in low-lighting conditions (39%) and difficulty when doing close-up work (31%).*
What does this mean for my eyes?
Presbyopia naturally occurs as a result of the lens in the eye losing its flexibility. The lens helps to focus light on the retina, so this loss of flexibility prevents the eyes from focusing as well as they once did. This can make objects close up look blurry – hence the need to hold items, particularly reading materials, at arm’s length – and slows down the eyes’ ability to change focus between items at varying distances.
OK, so what’s the solution?
Unfortunately, there aren’t any at-home eye exercises or solutions that will prevent the onset of presbyopia, but a trip to see an optician is sure to offer some help.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms already mentioned, or any sort of eye strain or headaches after reading – especially in bad lighting or if you’re tired – it’s wise to book an eye test with your local Boots Opticians. Your optician will be able to test your eyesight and discuss the options available to you such as varifocal glasses and glasses-free options like multifocal contact lenses.
What are multifocal contact lenses and do I need them?
If your Optician confirms you have presbyopia you don’t need to just put up with it. Multifocal contact lenses may be the perfect option for you, especially if you don’t particularly like the idea of wearing glasses all the time. Often prescribed to correct the vision problems associated with presbyopia, multifocal contact lenses include a very specific technology which helps you see clearly at all distances with the same contact lens.
If you already wear contact lenses because you are short-sighted, long-sighted or even if you have an astigmatism, there is a multifocal contact lens that will work for you too. They are also available as a daily disposable lens or as a reusable lens, depending on what you prefer.
Click here to find out how suitable, comfortable and convenient multifocal contact lenses could be.
At Boots Opticians you can try multifocal contact lenses for free before you buy with our free assessment & trial**. Our team will help you find the right option for your needs and lifestyle, so that you can be confident that multifocal contact lenses are the right option for you.
Book an eye test with free contact lens assessment & trail at www.bootsopticians.com
