If you’ve recently found yourself holding a menu at arm’s length to read it clearly—or you’re squinting at your phone more than usual—you’re not alone. This is often the first sign of presbyopia, a universal, age-related change in vision that typically begins in your early to mid-forties.
What Is Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects. It happens to everyone eventually, regardless of whether you’ve had perfect vision all your life or already wear glasses or contact lenses. It’s not a disease, but a natural part of aging—one that can be frustrating if you rely on your near vision for reading, work, or daily tasks.
What Causes Presbyopia?
Inside your eye is a clear, flexible lens that changes shape to help you focus on objects at different distances. Over time, this lens loses its elasticity. The ciliary muscles that control its shape also weaken, making it harder to focus on close-up tasks like reading or sewing. These internal changes progress gradually and are usually first noticed in midlife.
Symptoms of Presbyopia
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Difficulty reading small print—especially in low light
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Eyestrain or fatigue after close work
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Headaches following prolonged reading
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Needing to hold books or phones farther away to focus
Common Solutions for Presbyopia
The most common early-stage solution is reading glasses. For those already wearing prescription lenses, bifocals or progressive lenses offer a seamless transition between near and far vision. Contact lens wearers can also consider multifocal contacts or monovision correction—where one eye is adjusted for distance vision and the other for close-up tasks.
A Long-Term Option: Laser Vision Correction for Presbyopia
For those who would prefer to avoid glasses or contacts altogether, laser vision correction is a safe and effective long-term solution. At Belmont Eye Center, we offer advanced procedures tailored for presbyopia that can restore both near and distance vision in a single, painless treatment.
Not everyone is a candidate, but for the right patient, laser vision correction can be life-changing—eliminating the need for reading glasses and giving you the freedom to see clearly at every distance without external aids.
When to Seek Help
If you’re beginning to notice the signs of presbyopia, it’s worth scheduling an eye exam. Early evaluation can help rule out other issues, give you the right corrective options, and determine if you might be a candidate for vision correction surgery.
At Belmont Eye Center, we specialize in custom vision correction for patients at every stage of life. Whether you’re just beginning to notice changes in your near vision or looking for long-term solutions, we’ll help you find the best path forward—so you can see clearly, comfortably, and confidently.
Ready to ditch the reading glasses?
Book your consultation today and explore your options for laser vision correction with a trusted corneal specialist.
