Around our late thirties, early forties, we start to notice a change in focusing.  Some of us will require more light to read that fine print, or some of us will start to stretch our arms out further and further away.  This is known as Presbyopia.  

Age causes the lens inside our eye (much like a camera lens) to lose its elasticity or focusing power. Even changing focus from reading up close to looking far away or vice versa also starts to become difficult. NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO EXERCISES THAT CAN HELP THIS.  Presbyopia is not triggered by a muscle weakness, but by the lens stiffening as we age.

Presbyopia tends to get worse as we get older. The reading initially may not seem so bad, but as time goes on, the near tasks get more and more challenging.

Reading glasses can help make near vision tasks easy again! Sometimes, a different prescription is required for computer use and there are also contact lenses available as an alternative to wearing glasses.  Your Doctor of Optometry can help you in choosing what kind of glasses are most suitable for your needs.

Will I make my eyes worse by wearing reading glasses?

NO! The lens gradually loses its elasticity and so our eyes will weaken with time naturally. You may notice that when you take your glasses off, things appear to be even worse than before wearing your glasses. This is because your brain noticed how clear and comfortable the vision should be without straining.