Presbyopia is an age-related condition that affects almost everyone. As you reach your 40s or 50s, the lens inside your own eye becomes less flexible making it harder to focus on objects close to you such as when reading a book, using a mobile, or when working at a computer.
Presbyopia
What is it?
Presbyopia is an age-related condition that affects almost everyone. As you reach your 40s or 50s, the lens inside your own eye becomes less flexible making it harder to focus on objects close to you such as when reading a book, using a mobile, or when working at a computer.
Presbyopia when left uncorrected can result in headaches and eye fatigue.
How can presbyopia be corrected?
Presbyopia is normally corrected by the use of bifocal or multifocal glasses or contact lenses. These lenses provide two or more lens powers, offering both distance and near vision all in one lens.
Whereas bifocal glasses have a distinct dividing line between the distant and near areas, progressive or multifocal glasses do not as the power seamlessly changes allowing the eye to see at all distances from far at the top to near at the bottom of the lens.
If your ability to read or see objects close up (within arm's distance of your body), is impaired while wearing your distance correction spectacles or contact lenses (if you require them) then you might be presbyopic. This will be checked when you visit your eye care professional for a full eye examination
Can I wear contact lenses to correct presbyopia?
Yes, presbyopia can be corrected by both bifocal and multifocal contact lenses. These allow you the freedom of seeing clearly both near and far without needing to carry reading glasses. Unlike bifocal or varifocal glasses, you do not need to look through a specific part of a bifocal or multifocal contact lens in order to be able to see.
The other possible option is monovision where one eye is prescribed with a distance prescription and the other eye a reading prescription. This can be done without using a bifocal or multifocal contact lens.
What ACUVUE® Contact Lenses are available for presbyopia?
ACUVUE® BIFOCAL Contact Lenses are able to provide correction for presbyopia and allow you to enjoy the freedom of seeing clearly both near and far without needing varifocal or bifocal spectacles or the inconvenience of needing to carry additional reading glasses. They are exceptionally comfortable and also offer UV protection against the sun’s harmful rays*.
*UV-absorbing contact lenses are not substitutes for UV-blocking sunglasses as they do not completely cover the eye and the surrounding area