Presbyopia Affects Millions. Luckily, New Treatments Are Available.


A white-haired gentleman wearing reading glasses reads a book in what appears to be a living room

Impaired vision affects more than 60% of the total population.

If we examine older age brackets, that figure is even higher. A variety of factors can affect vision quality, most notably genetics, age, and pre-existing conditions.

One such type of vision impairment, presbyopia, affects a staggering 128 million Americans. A condition that impacts such a large swath merits examination and understanding. Keep reading to learn more about presbyopia and how your vision care specialist can help alleviate it.

What is Presbyopia?

Blurred vision is immensely common in the population, especially in adults. While this symptom could be a result of a wide variety of genetic dispositions and illnesses, presbyopia is one of the chief causes.

Presbyopia refers to decreased ability to see up close that results from the hardening of the lenses over time. Thus, the primary cause of presbyopia is simple aging. While it can also be the result of ailments such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or drug use, blurry vision caused by presbyopia is generally detected in otherwise healthy patients in their mid-40s, with worsening conditions in their 60s.

If you or a family member has begun to experience loss of close vision, don’t fret. A family eye care specialist should be able to determine the cause and prescribe an effective remedy.

What Are the Treatments?

For many patients, experiencing gradual nearsightedness as they age is a relatively predictable and harmless process. Reading glasses can help alleviate the majority of the daily issues caused by presbyopia. These glasses will work most effectively if prescribed by a vision care specialist.

Bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses (those that change progressively in magnification from top to bottom) can also serve as an effective treatment for blurry vision.

On the more invasive but permanent front, there are several surgical options. Refractive surgery (LASIK) will shape one cornea to have clear long-range vision, and close-up vision in the other, creating monovision that works well for many patients. A vision care specialist might also recommend corneal inlays, which are implanted into the cornea to help treat blurry vision in the short-range.

Finally, an additional cutting-edge treatment for presbyopia has emerged only in recent months. Vuity drops are a new product from Allergan designed to treat vision issues resulting from presbyopia, and are only available when prescribed by a vision care specialist. If you meet certain criteria, you can even use Vuity drops with contact lenses. However, not everyone is a candidate, and the drops do come with certain risks and considerations. Consult your family eye care professional to see if you are a candidate for Vuity drops.

Treat Blurry Vision at Complete Eye Care of Medina

The vision care specialists at Complete Eye Care of Medina have the technology and diagnostic experience to help treat blurry vision caused by presbyopia, as well as a host of other vision issues. We take a consultative, one-on-one approach to family eye care, answering any questions or concerns while working alongside you to manage your vision needs. Complete Eye Care of Medina’s comprehensive eye exams will keep you and your family informed and empowered to pursue the appropriate treatments for you 

For comprehensive diagnostic, treatment and corrective services, contact us today to schedule an appointment. We can’t wait to serve you!