# Presbyopia

URL: https://mohamedmohyudin.co.uk/conditions/presbyopia/
Last reviewed: 2026-08-13

## Quick answer

Presbyopia is a natural age-related change affecting virtually everyone from their mid-40s onwards, in which the crystalline lens inside the eye gradually loses flexibility and reduces the ability to focus on near objects. It is entirely normal and not a disease, but it affects reading and close work. Optical and surgical options can reduce reliance on reading glasses.

## Overview

Presbyopia is a natural age-related change that affects virtually everyone from their mid-40s onwards. It occurs as the crystalline lens inside the eye gradually loses its flexibility, reducing the eye's ability to change focus between near and distant objects. Although it is entirely normal and not a disease, presbyopia can significantly affect daily life — particularly for reading, using a smartphone or working at a computer. Various optical and surgical options can reduce or eliminate the need for reading glasses.

## Treatment

Reading glasses are the simplest solution. Varifocal or bifocal lenses provide both distance and near correction in a single spectacle lens. Monovision contact lenses (one eye for distance, one for near) suit some patients. Surgical options include multifocal or extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) intraocular lenses at the time of cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange, which can significantly reduce spectacle dependence.

## FAQs

### What are the main symptoms of presbyopia?

Common symptoms include difficulty reading small print at normal distance and needing to hold books or menus further away to see them clearly. Patients may also notice eye strain and headaches after prolonged close work, a need for brighter light when reading, and difficulty switching focus between near and distance vision.

### Why does presbyopia happen as you get older?

Presbyopia occurs as the crystalline lens inside the eye gradually loses its elasticity with age, alongside reduced contractile ability of the ciliary muscle. This is a universal change that begins in the 40s and progresses through the 50s, reducing the eye's ability to change focus between near and distant objects.

### How is presbyopia treated?

Reading glasses are the simplest solution, while varifocal or bifocal lenses provide both distance and near correction in one lens. Monovision contact lenses suit some patients. Surgical options include multifocal or extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) intraocular lenses at cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange, which can significantly reduce spectacle dependence.