Gabriel Russell

Presbyopia

Presbyopia literally means: farsightedness due to ciliary muscle weakness and loss of elasticity in the crystalline lens. Presby: “Old man” Opia: “eye”

Presbyopia is said to occur when a person can no longer focus on near objects due to lack of lens accommodation. This condition is usu. due to aging.

What is Presbyopia?

Other forms of vision:

Lens Accommodation

Ciliary Muscles and Lens of the Eye

Is defined as the process in which the lens undergoes change to maintain clear focus.

Accommodation is mostly a reflex but can be consciously controlled.

Young Person Eye: Older(over 40yrs old) Eye:

Can focus from distance to 7cm Will not be able or will begin to have

in 350 milliseconds. trouble focusing on near objects.

Accommodation of the Lens

It is the natural hardening and loss of elasticity of the optical crystalline lens .

Its not known the exact causes of Presbyopia

Most Scientist have observed it as a natural course of the aging in human beings.

Why does Presbyopia take place?

Since Presbyopia is consider a “fixed focus/vision” status correction is the only option.

They include. *Reading Glass for patients 20/20(Normal

vision or good distance sight). *Bifocals, Trifocals, and Progressive Lens for

those who do not see well at distances or have astigmatism. (A study in BMJ (British medical journal) stated that Bifocals where linked to 35% of all falls involving the elderly)

Treatments for Presbyopia:

The study also suggested the elderly use non-multifocus lens when traveling stairs.

Surgeries: Some claim reversal of presbyopia ( still awaiting FDA approval.

*Corneal Surgery (FDA approved)

*SRP (Surgical Reversal of Presbyopia)..in clinical trials

*IOL (Intraocular Lens Implants)…planning trials

Treatments Continued:

Monovision: which is when one eye(usu. Dominant eye) is corrected for distance vision and the weaker eye is semi-corrected for near vision it can be done by LASIKs or Contact Lens. (Eyes must be trained/ Pres. Ronald Reagan used Monovision for speeches).

Treatments Continued

*Presbyopia affects everyone as they age. (Onset may vary but will be seen after 40yrs of age)

*Its doesn’t discriminate

Equal Opportunity Disorder

Make regularly scheduled Eye appointments

Remember “The 20-20-20 Rule”*Take (20)seconds, to look(20) feet away,

every 20 minutes. this will help to prevent long term damage

to eyes…particularly the crystalline lens.

Preventive Measures and Practices:

http://www.agingeye.net/otheragingeye/presbyopia.php

www.mayoclinic.com

www.wikipedia.com

References

What is presbyopia?

Think About This: Presbyopia and Progressive Lenses

Presbyopia Youtube.com links