Can I Treat My Presbyopia?

October 28th, 2021

If you’re in your mid-forties, then your eyesight is likely beginning to decline. It is common knowledge that vision fades as you age, but why exactly does this happen?

For one, the risk of developing various eye conditions increases as you get older. Cataracts, for example, grow as a result of aging.

Certain diseases like macular degeneration and glaucoma are also more likely to occur when you’re older. But, none of that explains the sudden decrease in up-close vision in your forties.

Presbyopia is the scientific name for age-related farsightedness. It is a common condition that most people experience, and it is treatable.

Keep reading to learn how you can treat your presbyopia.

What is Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is when the lens of your eye becomes less flexible. This stiffening usually occurs after you turn forty.

Your lenses need to bend and flex to shift focus from object to object. But as you age, they become locked into a farsighted position.

This loss of flexibility is why you need reading glasses to see up-close. Without reading glasses, you may struggle with up-close tasks like reading, knitting, or using your cell phone.

Not using reading glasses to do these things can cause eye strain and headaches. These symptoms are especially present in low light situations or while tired. 

The most significant risk factor for presbyopia, like many other eye issues, is age. Your body naturally breaks down as you get older, and things stop working like they used to.

However, other factors can contribute to your chances of developing presbyopia early. Diabetes, MS, and heart disease seem to contribute to developing presbyopia young. Presbyopia is also a side effect of drugs like antidepressants, antihistamines, and diuretics.

Dealing with Presbyopia

Reading glasses can help you live with presbyopia. They compensate for the loss of close-up vision.

But if you would prefer not to use reading glasses, there are alternative treatments. Standard glasses with bifocal, trifocal, or progressive multifocal lenses can give you clear vision at all distances.

But you still have to wear glasses all the time. Contacts are a reasonable alternative, but you may not be able to or want to wear them either.

Another option to restore your lost vision is a vision correction procedure. There is one excellent option in particular for correcting presbyopia. 

Does RLE Correct Presbyopia?

Refractive lens exchange or RLE is an excellent, permanent solution to presbyopia. During RLE, your surgeon removes your stiff, natural lens.

Once your lens is out, they replace it with an intraocular lens or IOL to correct your vision. The IOL can handle the tasks your natural lens no longer could.

Numerous premium IOL options can give you clear eyesight at all distances. Your eye doctor will help you select the best IOLs for your lifestyle.

An added benefit of RLE is that it does the same thing as cataract surgery. Both procedures remove your natural lenses and replace them with IOLs.

And, IOLs cannot develop cataracts. So, once you have RLE, you don’t need cataract surgery in your sixties or seventies!

Would you like to discuss RLE to end your need for reading glasses and avoid cataract surgery? Schedule a consultation at Laser Eye Center in Hunstville, AL, to see if RLE is right for you!