Near Vision Loss

Presbyopia – loss of Near Vision from aging

Presbyopia is the gradual loss of up-close reading vision as we age. For patients not wearing glasses for distance, they now need reading glasses to see close. For those who use glasses for distance, they will now need to wear a bifocal, trifocal or progressive glasses.

Patients who are nearsighted (myopia) can see will up close without glasses, but not far away. Most people who are near sighted wear bifocals (or progressives) so they don’t have to keep taking their glasses on and off.

Losing our ability to see up close is inevitable. It is an undeniable sign of aging which we naturally resist admitting to. With presbyopia we are. in essence becoming near blind. It generally starts in our early 40’s. Once you have accepted this reality then there is an exploration of options.

Traditional options for presbyopia have included;

• Initially holding things farther and farther away or using brighter and brighter lights.
• Using reading glasses (cheaters), bifocals, trifocals or progressive
• Using monovision or multifocal contact lenses.
• Having monovision laser vison correction.
• Surgical procedures involving corneal inlays. We are not a fan of this procedure.

A significant number of patients do not like monovision, especially if they don’t have a need to wear glasses for distance.

Until now, this has meant the solution to help one maintain independence from reading glasses has been disappointing for many patients.

Currently, there are FDA-approved drops designed to treat age-related blurry near vision. These include Vuity and Qlosi which are most effective in early presbyopes and may not be suitable for everyone. Prescriptions are required for these drops, and potential side effects include headaches and eye redness.