Farsightedness in adults

What is farsightedness (presbyopia) in adults

Farsightedness (presbyopia) is a natural aging process that affects the elasticity of the lens of the eye. With age, especially after 40-45 years, age-related changes occur in the lens: its elasticity decreases, the muscles that hold it weaken, and the focusing time slows down. Visual acuity is reduced even in those whose eyesight used to be perfect.

Such changes appear in almost all people by the age of 50. If a person aged 50 and over claims that he does not have presbyopia, he is delusional. He just adapted not to use reading glasses. Give him glasses with at least one positive diopter, and he will notice a significant improvement in near visual acuity!

What you need to know about farsightedness

Causes of farsightedness (presbyopia) in adults

– Inside the eye we have a biolens – the lens, which is held by special muscles. When a person looks into the distance, the muscles relax, the lens becomes flat and a clear image of the distance is obtained. When looking at a close distance, the muscles tense up, the lens thickens and a clear image comes out near.

With age, the lens changes its color, size and weight. The muscles that change its curvature lose their elasticity, tone and cannot relax or contract as quickly as before. Thus, the lens is constantly in a relaxed state, as a result of which distance vision is preserved, and near vision deteriorates.

Presbyopia does not bypass anyone. There is an opinion that if you had myopia (poor distance vision) before the age of 40, then your vision will become perfect with age. Unfortunately, it is not. A person can have both myopia and presbyopia at the same time, clarifies ophthalmologist Zarema Valiullina.

But not only age-related changes cause presbyopia. The risk group primarily includes people who work at a computer, and whose professional activities are associated with prolonged visual load at close range (it does not bypass mobile phone lovers), as well as people with astigmatism, inflammatory diseases of the organ of vision, atherosclerosis, diabetes diabetes, hypertension, diseases of the blood vessels. In the same list, unbalanced nutrition and vitamin deficiency, chronic intoxication (nicotine or alcohol).

Symptoms of farsightedness (presbyopia) in adults

The very first sign of presbyopia is a decrease in near vision and a lack of brightness in ordinary lighting, blurry letters appear and the contrast of pictures decreases, and it becomes necessary to move the text further and further away from you, add light to improve clarity.

At first, the decrease in visual acuity begins to be compensated by muscle tension, so the person may not notice that his vision has begun to deteriorate. But in the future, this tension causes rapid eye fatigue, pain in the area of ​​the superciliary arches and bridge of the nose, unpleasant sensations of “sand” in the eyes (most often they disturb a person when working with gadgets or reading in poor lighting), a feeling of fullness and pressure in the eyeballs, lacrimation, dizziness, headache, migraine.

Diagnostics

Presbyopia can only be diagnosed and confirmed at an appointment with an ophthalmologist. When diagnosing, age, complaints of the patient, as well as data from an objective examination are taken into account. For this purpose, visual acuity is checked with a refraction test, determination of refraction and volume of accommodation, a study of finding the nearest point of clear vision for each eye. Additionally, with the help of ophthalmoscopy and biomicroscopy under magnification, the structures of the eye are examined. To exclude concomitant presbyopia glaucoma, gonioscopy and tonometry are performed.

Modern treatments

Very often, patients ask the question – how to cure presbyopia? Age is absolutely no reason to put up with the loss of visual acuity. Presbyopia can and should be treated as it can worsen over time. It is also very important to consult an ophthalmologist not only when vision began to deteriorate, but once a year for a preventive check. With presbyopia, drug therapy, optical correction and surgical treatment are used.

Optical correction – the main and affordable method for presbyopia. In this case, the doctor prescribes wearing glasses or contact lenses (regular, bifocal, progressive).

— Ordinary glasses for work at a close distance take into account only one specified distance, familiar and necessary for a particular patient. Bifocals have two focal lengths, the top for far distance and the bottom for close up. Progressive glasses give good visual acuity at distance, at medium distance and near.

The choice of correction depends on the main type of human activity. It is important that you need to select glasses, be sure to consult with an ophthalmologist. To save money, the older generation likes to buy ready-made glasses in unverified places, which, when tried on, they think fit. And some older couples at home use the same glasses for two – this is romantic, but completely wrong. Glasses must be selected individually! – explains ophthalmologist Zarema Valiullina.

The next possible way to correct presbyopia can be contact lenses, which also take into account visual acuity at far, medium and near distances.

There are 3 types of contact lenses used for presbyopia:

• Bifocal contact lenses. They have zones for distance and near, alternating in the form of rings. Rays of light entering the eye are refracted through all these zones, simultaneously forming an image on the retina. The brain itself “chooses” which image to perceive depending on specific tasks.
• Multifocal contact lenses. Designed in such a way that the optical power of the lens gradually changes from the center to the periphery. In the center there can be a zone for near, and on the periphery – a zone for distance, and vice versa. The optical power of the lens changes gradually when moving from the near zone to the far zone, which allows you to have good vision at medium distances.

• Contact lenses are designed similarly to progressive eyeglass lenses. (this design is usually found in rigid contact lenses). In these lenses, the lower zone is for near (when reading, a person looks through the lower part of the lens), and the upper zone is for distance (looks straight).

Surgical methods of correctionLaser vision correction using special technology. This method provides a different depth of focus at a distance and near the eyes. The main distinguishing feature of the operation is that during the intervention it is possible to create the shape of the cornea, which can be compared with multifocal lenses.

The method of implantation of an intraocular multifocal phakic lens is considered effective. Through a small external incision, a special lens with a multifocal design is placed inside the eye, correcting vision at all distances (located in front of the lens).

The most popular method of surgical correction is the implantation of an artificial multifocal lens. During the operation, the native lens is removed, and a multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted into the lens bag instead. Modern designs of trifocal lenses have already been created and are being used, allowing you to see well at all three distances.

What correction method to choose for you will be helped by an ophthalmologist. Each type of surgical intervention has its own specific contraindications.

Medication

– Various eye drops are used as an auxiliary method of treatment, they are prescribed to eliminate unpleasant symptoms such as dryness, burning or watery eyes, as well as to saturate with vitamins, strengthen blood vessels, improve blood supply and restore metabolism in the tissues of the eye.

Tableted forms of drugs are used mainly as a biologically active food supplement, and are a source of lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamins C, E, zinc, selenium and omega-3 essential fatty acids, the action of which is aimed at eliminating the deficiency of these substances that occur with age and as a result of unbalanced diet. This therapy is carried out in courses of 1-2 months, followed by a break, – says ophthalmologist Zarema Valiullina.

Prevention of farsightedness in adults at home

To avoid vision problems or slow down the development of presbyopia, it is important to follow a few simple rules.

• Do not sit in front of a computer or TV. Even if you work, be sure to take at least 10-minute breaks every hour.
• During rest, it’s good to arrange visual gymnastics for the eyes – for example, horizontal and vertical eye movements (10-12 movements in each direction), circular eye movements (clockwise and counterclockwise 5-7 times), close your eyes tightly, and then wide open your eyes (10 times), etc.
• Make sure that the work area is adequately and evenly lit. Do not sit at the computer and do not read books in the dark – once again straining your eyesight, you only worsen it,
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
• Surprisingly, a healthy lifestyle – adequate sleep, exercise, walking in the fresh air – also has a positive effect on vision.
• It is important to include in the menu products containing vitamins of group A and trace elements such as zinc, copper, chromium, manganese, etc. – blueberries, broccoli, salmon, nuts, etc.
• The most important thing in prevention is a regular examination by an ophthalmologist, who will help identify emerging problems, detect concomitant diseases, even if you do not notice them yet, and prescribe treatment.

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