Presbyopia

A universal aging process that occurs in all people regardless of whether or not glasses were necessary as a child or during young adulthood. This is a loss of the ability to focus on near objects. It generally becomes evident during the 40’s and will generally worsen until the age of 65 or 70, at which time it plateaus. During this time, progressively stronger reading glasses or bifocals become necessary. The severity of symptoms and age of onset may be influenced by the degree of myopia (nearisightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness) and individual may have. (See Refractive Disorders for more details.)