As you step into your forties, you may notice that reading smaller letters is becoming a strain. The fine print on medicines, or even on your phone or computer appears a little unclear, sometimes even blurred. You may notice this is worse when you’re tired, or when reading in poor light. In fact, almost everyone finds reading difficult as we become older.
In fact, you may also notice that you’re holding books and restaurant menus farther, to see clearly. This is a normal process of ageing: all of us face this struggle, and is due to changes within your eyes over time. This refractive error, or vision problem, is called presbyopia.
How do we focus near and far objects
The eye is like a camera- a very sophisticated camera. The natural lens of the eye changes it’s shape in order to focus both near and distant objects, clearly.
In order to read comfortably, the lens inside of your eyes changes its shape to focus on objects held at a close distance. As we grow older, the lens becomes thicker and less flexible. This is because new lens fibres are added to the lens, which make the older fibres more compact and send. These structural changes are normal, and universal. Which is why all of us have find reading difficult as we grow older.
What if I am younger than forty, and still find reading difficult
Sometimes, due to prolonged near effort, our eye muscles become weak and fatigued. This is called convergence insufficiency, and is especially seen nowadays with increasing use of screen devices. This reading difficulty usually does not need reading glasses.
What to do when you are finding reading difficult once older
- Doing eye exercises regularly may help you read better. In case you are younger than forty, you may not require glasses for reading. In case you are older, it may slow down the onset of presbyopia, or retard its progression.
- In case you wear glasses for myopia (minus lenses), you may find it easier to read without your glasses.
- If you wear contact lenses for myopia, you may find it easier to read with your prescribed myopic glasses, as compared to your contact lenses.
- You may also experiment with increasing the font size of your text if you read on a screen device. Increasing the contrast, and reading in better light also help you see better.
- Of this doesn’t work, of course, you must contact your eye doctor.
Reading glasses
Your doctor will prescribe reading glasses once your older, and sometimes even contact lenses, if you are having reading difficulties. This will help you see near objects clearly. These are euphemistically called reading glasses, and help with all near vision tasks. That includes reading, embroidery, sewing, painting and of course, your phone related activities!
In case you already wear glasses to correct your vision for distance, your doctor will prescribe bifocals or progressive glasses.
Bifocals have two parts: one which corrects your distant vision, and the second reading component.
Progressive glasses are more expensive, but in addition to distance and near correction, they also help you see better for intermediate distances.
Will the power of my reading glasses increase as I become older?
Yes, this power will increase whether you wear your reading glasses or not. It’s important to note that presbyopia, or difficulty in near vision, starts in the forties, and continues to progress until your mid-sixties.
Therefore, your prescription for reading glasses or contact lenses requires a check every year. Usually, the power increases more rapidly initially, before stabilising at around +2.5Dioptres.
Usually, your reading glasses will need to be updated once every one to two years to for clear and comfortable reading vision.
So if you’re struggling with reading or near vision related tasks, contact your eye doctor so she can provided for you the best possible solution or treatment.
