Help Topics

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a condition in which light rays from a near object from come to a focus behind the retina (see the blue dot in the diagram below). This is slightly similar to hyperopia. The difference is that this results from a decreased ability for the lens to focus (called "accommodation") as we age. Presbyopia typically becomes symptomatic around 40 years old. Presbyopia is treated with eyeglasses (either bifocals or, more commonly, dedicated reading-only glasses).