Dealing with Age-Related Changes in Your Vision

Presbyopia is a natural, age-related change that makes it more difficult to see objects close-up. It is a refractive error, just like myopia or astigmatism. While presbyopia cannot be prevented, it is easily treated and managed.

Recognising a change in your vision

As you get older, the lens in your eye begins to naturally lose elasticity and become stiffer. This loss of flexibility in the lens makes it difficult to focus on different distances. There are some helpful signs to look out for to determine whether you need correction for this.

For instance, if you experience trouble reading small print or you need to adjust the distance of your reading material, you may be developing presbyopia. It can be diagnosed during a routine eye examination and is easily treated through corrective lenses.

A change in your vision can be disheartening, and even a little disorientating at first. Presbyopia will eventually happen to everyone as they get older, so you're not alone.

Lenses for presbyopia

If you struggle with seeing objects clearly at various distances, you will likely need to wear varifocal lenses. It is possible that you can have myopia and presbyopia, but varifocal lenses can accommodate both.

Varifocal lenses are a modern solution that can provide sharp vision across different vision zones. The breakthrough technology used in Essilor varifocal lenses makes them easy to adapt to, especially for first-time wearers dealing with vision change.

Other lenses for multiple vision zones, such as bifocals, are often designed with a visible line across the lens to separate the zones. Bifocal lenses have a correction for distance vision in the top half of the lens and a segment in the bottom half of the lens for correcting near vision. The line or segment is visible to others and can be off-putting for some wearers, as it makes it evident that they're wearing bifocal lenses. Varifocal lenses have no line, with a subtle and gradual changing of power through the lens so that your vision is corrected for multiple distances rather than just near vision and distant vision. 

At Essilor, we have a vast range of Varilux varifocal lenses, with something to suit every visual need and lifestyle. This can help you find the right lens type to deliver comfortable and natural vision, making it that little bit easier to deal with the change in your vision.

Personalised vision solutions

With new technology being created all the time, there is now an opportunity to make sure your lenses support your vision even further. Thanks to breakthrough equipment and optical instruments, there are personalisation options that can take into account your vision and physiological behaviour, as well as how the frame fits on your face.

AVA (Advanced Vision Accuracy) can provide an even more precise prescription, so your lenses can deliver sharper and more comfortable vision. AVA allows for lenses to be dispensed within 0.01 dioptres, the power of your lens prescription, instead of rounding to the nearest 0.25 dioptre.

Eyecode can also offer more precision by measuring your eye rotation centre. This allows your lenses to be further optimised based on the way your eye moves, which can differ up to 30% per individual.

Today's technology can also measure your Near Vision Behaviour. This measures how you look at something in your reading zone, including head tilts and how you hold reading material. The measurements are incorporated into your lenses and ensures the reading part of your lenses are tailored to your near vision habits.

All of these personalisation options can transform your experience when wearing glasses, making sure you can adapt comfortably to your new lenses. What's more, these measurements can be taken while adhering to social distancing guidelines, which may come as a significant relief for patients and opticians alike.

If you notice a change in your vision, don't be disheartened. Refractive errors are widespread, and today's lenses can offer natural, effortless vision from the moment you put them on.

Book an appointment with your local optician, and they can talk you through the wealth of options available.