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What is Presbyopia or eyestrain?
We can see both near and far because we have a natural lens, called the crystalline lens, which can change shape, and therefore change its power as a lens, and focus both near and far.
The lens increases in size and stiffness over the course of life, so that with age it becomes increasingly difficult for the lens to change shape. Around the age of 40-45 years, For this reason, he or she begins to have difficulties in focusing close-up, difficulties that increase and reach their peak at around the age of 60. This difficulty in focusing up close, which appears and increases with age, is known as the presbyopia or eyestrain.
Causes and prevention of Presbyopia
The Presbyopia or eyestrain is caused by the ageing of the eye.which, as we have explained, reduces the elasticity of the crystalline lens. Prevention is currently not possible, as there is no medication or visual therapy that has managed to maintain the elasticity of the lens. Presbyopia affects practically the entire population. from the age of 45.
This is another reason to have your eyes checked by a specialist from the age of 40 onwards, when other age-related eye diseases also become more prevalent.
Symptoms of Presbyopia
The The main symptom of presbyopia is difficulty in focusing on objects at close range.The closer we get, the more difficult it is to see them clearly. This is the reason why we extend our arm to read, and also why reading is affected first, and then later the viewing of computer screens, as they are further away.
Headaches can occur when trying to read for long periods of time and a feeling of eye fatigue.
Sometimes with increasing age there may be a "recovery" of near vision, which is usually a symptom of the appearance of a cataract.
Diagnosis of Presbyopia
Diagnosis is made by a basic eye examination and does not pose any difficulty for ophthalmologists.
In Fuengirola, Mijas , the Dr. Salvador Nebro Cobos has at his Ophthalmology Clinic the most modern diagnostic systems for an exhaustive eye examination and assessment of Presbyopia.
Treatment of eyestrain
In today's world, completely invaded by devices such as mobile phones and computers, presbyopia is a major limitation for most people.
This often leads patients to demand a solution to the problem.
There are several ways to treat presbyopia.
Firstly, we have the most common and least aggressive method, which is the use of glasses. From the age of 45 onwards, the distance and near graduations are different, and at least two different graduations have to be fitted in the glasses. These are called bifocal and progressive glasses.
Correction of presbyopia is also possible by means of multifocal contact lenses, which offer a lower visual quality than spectacles, but allow freedom from spectacles.
The Presbyopia can also be treated surgically. Both laser treatment, known as presbilasik, and refractive lensectomy (replacement of the crystalline lens with a multifocal intraocular lens) can solve the problem, providing near and distance vision. It is important to note that visual quality will not be what it was at the age of 30. Although we can see at all distances, this is achieved by "optical tricks", which cannot match nature. This must be understood because it can be a source of frustration as the patient's expectations are higher than they really are. This is why the results are better when we operate on a cataract, even if it is incipient, and we fit multifocal lenses, or when there is a significant refractive defect, as there is a clear improvement in visual quality.
Another surgical option is the intracorneal lens implantation.
The most widespread option is the multifocal intraocular lens implantation
There is the option to intervene with only one eye, so that one eye focuses better at a distance and the other eye focuses better at near. This is known as monovision.
Frequently Asked Questions about Presbyopia or Eyestrain
When to operate on presbyopia?
Treatment must be personalised, taking into account individual needs, the refractive situation of each patient and the possible existence of concomitant eye diseases. In general terms, we could say that surgery should not be performed before the age of 50.
Can presbyopia and the other refractive defects, myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, be operated simultaneously?
Yes, in fact, when there is a significant refractive error, patients are usually more satisfied, as the improvement is greater.
Can children suffer from presbyopia?
No. Children have a very elastic lens, and can focus very well up close.
Can presbyopia and cataract be operated simultaneously?
Yes, when we remove the cataract and implant multifocal intraocular lenses.