As they get older, many older people find it more and more difficult to see things close to them, and reading books and newspapers and looking at their mobile phones become blurry. This phenomenon is medically known as presbyopia. It is one of the most common eye problems in the elderly, and although it does not cause blindness, it can cause many inconveniences in daily life. This article will discuss in detail the causes, symptoms, effects and coping methods of presbyopia to help you better manage this problem.
1. What is presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a common eye problem in which the elasticity of the lens of the eye decreases due to age, making it impossible to effectively regulate seeing near objects. It usually begins after the age of 40 and is especially prevalent in people over the age of 60.
2. Symptoms of presbyopia
Symptoms of presbyopia usually develop gradually and worsen over time. The following are common presbyopia symptoms in older adults:
- Blurry near sight: Older people may find that when reading a book, reading a text message or doing needlework, words and objects in the near area become blurry, and they need to move the book or object away to see clearly.
- Eye strain: After prolonged close eye use, older people will experience eye strain, soreness, and even headaches and eye discomfort.
- Need more light: People with presbyopia often need brighter light to see near objects clearly.
- Adjust the focus frequently: When you go from looking far to near or vice versa, you need more time to adjust your vision.
- Dyslexia: After reading for a long time, it is easy to feel dry eyes, soreness, and even eye pain.
3. Causes of presbyopia
Presbyopia is mainly due to a gradual decrease in the elasticity of the lens of the eye, resulting in a decrease in the ability to adjust. When the lens loses its elasticity, it is unable to change shape effectively to focus on near objects, resulting in blurred near vision. The following are the main causes of presbyopia:
3.1 Increasing age
As we age, the lens inside the eye hardens and becomes less elastic, making it difficult to adjust focus quickly, resulting in blurred visibility of near objects.
3.2 Eye muscle deterioration
The eye muscles deteriorate with age, resulting in a decreased ability to adjust the shape of the lens effectively to focus on near objects.
3.3 Genetic factors
Genetic factors also play a role in the development of presbyopia. If you have a family history of presbyopia, you are also at increased risk of developing presbyopia.
3.4 Eye diseases
Some eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma may also affect the adjustment function of the eye and aggravate the symptoms of presbyopia.
4. The impact of presbyopia on the lives of the elderly
Although presbyopia does not cause blindness, it has a significant impact on the quality of life of older adults:
4.1 Inconvenience
Presbyopia makes it difficult for the elderly to see near objects, affects daily activities, such as reading, doing handicrafts, looking at mobile phones, etc., and can even lead to safety hazards such as misjudging drug doses.
4.2 Socializing
Due to presbyopia, older people may experience inconvenience when participating in social activities, affecting their self-confidence and social life.
4.3 Increased psychological stress
The visual impairment caused by presbyopia can make the elderly feel helpless and anxious, increase psychological stress, and affect physical and mental health.
5. How to cope with presbyopia
Although there is no complete cure for presbyopia, there are a few ways to effectively alleviate its symptoms and improve quality of life:
5.1 Wear reading glasses
Reading glasses are the most common way to relieve the symptoms of presbyopia. Older people can choose the right reading glasses according to their vision to help them see near objects clearly.
5.2 Wear progressive multifocal lenses
Progressive multifocal lenses can correct both farsightedness and myopia, and are suitable for older people who need to switch between far- and nearsightedness frequently, providing a more natural visual transition.
5.3 Do eye exercises
Simple eye exercises, such as eye rolling and blinking, can help improve the ability of eye muscles to adjust and relieve eye strain.
5.4 Avoid prolonged close eye use
Avoiding looking at near objects for long periods of time, taking breaks every 20 minutes and looking at the distance can help reduce the burden on your eyes.
5.5 Check your eyes regularly
The elderly should have regular eye examinations to detect and treat eye problems in time to prevent and reduce the symptoms of presbyopia.
5.6 Maintain good living habits
Maintaining a good diet, eating foods rich in vitamin A and lutein, and getting enough sleep can help your eyes health.
epilogue
Presbyopia is one of the common vision problems faced by the elderly, although it is unavoidable, but through scientific eye care and reasonable vision correction, it can effectively alleviate the inconvenience caused by it and improve the quality of life. The elderly should pay attention to eye health, have regular check-ups, take timely measures, and maintain good living habits, so that vision will no longer be an obstacle in life.