Presbyopia (prehz-be-OH-pee-ah), which is farsightedness associated with aging, is a common visual condition in which the lens of the eye loses its ability to change focus, making it difficult to see objects up close. Normal tasks, such as reading fine print, become progressively more difficult as the eye ages.
Presbyopia begins to develop after 40 years of age and is a normal part of the aging process. It affects nearly everyone. Presbyopia literally means “aging eye.”
In the youthful eye, the lens is soft and flexible, easily changing shape as necessary to focus on objects near or far. With age, the lens hardens and the muscles controlling the lens weaken. This decrease in the elasticity of the lens makes it difficult to focus on nearby objects.
Presbyopia usually combines with other refractive errors such as Myopia (nearsightedness), Hyperopia (farsightedness), and Astigmatism. Persons with myopia may have less difficulty coping with presbyopia.
