Presbyopia

Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus on close objects, part of the normal ageing process.

Common symptoms

Difficulty reading small print, needing to hold text further away, tired eyes, and headaches after close work.

Description

Presbyopia is an age-related change in the eye's natural lens, which gradually becomes less flexible and less able to change shape to focus on near objects. It typically becomes noticeable from the mid-40s onwards.

Presbyopia is not a disease — it affects almost everyone eventually. It can occur alongside short-sightedness, long-sightedness, or astigmatism.

Presbyopia is most commonly corrected with reading glasses, bifocals, varifocals, or multifocal contact lenses. Some people choose refractive lens exchange or other surgical options.