Age-related changes in vision affect almost everyone. Already at the age of 40, the accommodative ability of the eye “collapses”, the lens loses its elasticity, and as a result, a person cannot see at close range. The traditional, reliable and most inexpensive way to correct age-related farsightedness is spectacle correction.
Spectacle correction of presbyopia
With age-related farsightedness, three correction options are used:
- spectacle (use of glasses);
- contact (use of contact lenses);
- laser (vision correction surgery).
When presbyopia is detected, glasses are the first thing that is advised to the patient. Even if he wants to have surgery in the future, or use contact lenses, first you need to get used to the condition of the eyes. Glasses are the most convenient option for this. In them, a person clearly understands what his vision will be like after correction in other ways, gets used to it. Many people stop at this option, since spectacle correction is the most budgetary way.
But be prepared for the fact that one pair of glasses is not enough. You may need glasses “for distance” and “for near”. Glasses will need to be replaced with age as presbyopia progresses with age and the glasses “weaken”.
It makes sense to wear presbyopic glasses, and then consider other correction options. For example, lenses look more aesthetically pleasing, and with a laser, you can get good vision without the use of optics.
Presbyopia: what glasses do you need?
Presbyopic glasses are a special optical item that is aimed at correcting near vision.
Near glasses
Traditionally, “near glasses” or, as they are popularly called, “reading glasses” were used to correct age-related changes. The lenses in these glasses have a plus additive for the correction of near vision, compensate for the missing optical power of the eye. With the help of “reading glasses”, the patient clearly sees objects at a distance of 20-40 cm. Such glasses are selected depending on the condition of the eye, and also take into account the age of the patient. The average plus additions of presbyopic glasses are:
| Patient age (years) | Optical power of glasses in diopters |
| 40-45 | +0,75 D |
| 50 | +1,25 D |
| 55 | +1,75 D |
| 60 | +2,00 D |
| Over 60 | +2,50 D — +3,00 D |
If the patient has complicated presbyopia, it is up to the doctor to decide which glasses to choose. Complications are eye diseases – glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other pathological conditions of the organs of vision.
Benefits of reading glasses:
- excellent vision correction at close range;
- inexpensive compared to other correction methods.
Flaws:
- myopic patients require an extra pair of distance glasses;
- require regular replacement, depending on age and progression of presbyopia.
Multifocal spectacle lenses
An improved method is spectacle correction of presbyopia using multifocal spectacle lenses. Among them are the traditional forms of optics:
- Bifocals. Each lens has a division into two optical zones. The upper part is designed for distance vision, and the lower part is used as “reading glasses”. This is a good option for myopic patients who need normal distance and near vision.
- Trifocals. In this device, each lens is divided into three zones, and a person can focus on the near, far, and intermediate zone (middle vision). They are more effective than bifocals but take some getting used to.
Advantages of bifocals and trifocals:
- good vision at different distances;
- no need to use multiple pairs of glasses.
Flaws:
- often the division into optical zones is visible on the lens, which creates psychological discomfort;
- with a sharp transition between optical zones, the picture can “jump”.
Progressive glasses
The most popular and modern method of spectacle correction is progressive glasses. They have multifocal lenses without visible zone separation. The optical power of a progressive lens varies smoothly from point to point. This ensures clear vision at any distance (near, medium, far) without sharp jumps in the image.
Advantages of progressive glasses:
- universal pair for vision correction at any distance;
- no image jumps;
- there is no visible transition between optical zones, there is no aesthetic discomfort;
- suitable for people with different refractive errors.
Flaws:
- have a narrow field of view;
- not suitable for patients with strabismus;
- take a long time to get used to.
If you already wear presbyopic glasses, be sure to visit your ophthalmologist every six months for an eye exam.
Presbyopia: how to choose the right glasses?
With presbyopia, the selection of glasses is based on several parameters:
- Age. If standard “reading glasses” are required, the patient has no other changes in the eye, then the glasses are selected according to the age table indicated above. At the same time, the self-perception of the patient in glasses with different optical power is taken into account. Sometimes too “plus” diopters turn out to be strong, a person experiences a feeling of pressure on the eyes, dizziness when it is necessary to put on glasses. Therefore, you need to select a lens on an individual basis.
- The presence of refractive errors. If the patient has myopia, it also requires correction. For people with nearsightedness, options for multifocal optics can be considered to correct vision at different distances. Farsighted patients, on the other hand, may only need “reading glasses” but with a high plus addition. And, of course, astigmatism correction is taken into account – choose optical lenses with a cylinder.
- Profession. This is an important parameter for choosing glasses. So, it is better for a jeweler, a microsurgeon to use progressive glasses – these people need clear vision all the time. If a person only occasionally wears “near glasses”, you can consider simpler options.
- Distance between pupils. Consider the fact that serial glasses are manufactured with a standard distance between the centers of vision – 62-64 mm. If this parameter is different for you, you need to make glasses to order. Therefore, be sure to go to an ophthalmologist to know if the standard version of glasses is right for you.
- Enhanced lens protection. If you select glasses to order, you can include additional lens protection from glare, dust and dirt in the price.
In any case, it is better to buy glasses only with a prescription on hand.
Presbyopia prescription for glasses
To pick up glasses for age-related farsightedness, it is not enough to go to the optics. First you need to undergo a complete examination and establish an accurate diagnosis. Presbyopia can be accompanied by other visual impairments – myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism. Depending on this, the doctor may recommend glasses of different optical power, with different features.
Once presbyopia is diagnosed, a prescription for glasses is issued the same day. The ophthalmologist includes the main parameters in the form:
- OD and OS – the designation of the right and left eyes.
- SPH is the optical power of the lens or sphere. It means “minus” or “plus” in each case.
- AXIS/AX is the axis of the cylindrical tilt in degrees.
- PD / DP / RC – the distance between the centers of vision (pupils). It is important for the correct fit of glasses and comfortable wearing.
- Cyl – cylinder or optical power of the lens with astigmatism.
- Add – Addition gain or “near gain”, the most important parameter when choosing glasses for presbyopia. It is up to +3.0 diopters.
Do not try to fit presbyopic glasses yourself. This will be a difficult task, and the wrong optics can harm.
Selection of glasses in the center “Eximer”
Do not forget that presbyopia progresses, and every six months you need to undergo an examination by an ophthalmologist, as well as periodically change glasses.
The Eximer Ophthalmological Center performs a complete computer diagnostics of vision. This tactic allows you to choose the most effective and comfortable glasses for each patient. The doctor writes a prescription for glasses and additional treatment if needed.
Presbyopia: better vision without glasses
In 2009, the world saw a new technology for laser correction of presbyopia. Today, millions of people from different countries have gone through this operation. The unique German technology came to Ukraine not so long ago, and today it is available at the Eximer ophthalmological center
If you have been diagnosed with presbyopia, vision improvement without glasses is possible with the SCHWIND Amaris system with the PresbyMAX® program. In addition to the fact that the laser eliminates age-related farsightedness, it can be used to remove myopia and other refractive errors.
Laser correction of presbyopia takes place within one day, and the next morning the patient is already completely back to his usual way of life.
In some situations, instead of correction, it is possible to replace the lens with the installation of an IOL (intraocular optical lens).
In each case, the ophthalmologists of the Eximer clinic recommend the necessary treatment.
