5 presbyopia/reading glasses myths debunked

As we age, it’s common for our vision to change. One of the most common changes is presbyopia, which is the loss of near vision due to age. Presbyopia occurs when the eye’s lens begins to harden and thicken with age. However, there are a lot of presbyopia and reading glasses myths online and offline that can cause people to worry unnecessarily.

If you’re starting to experience these changes in your vision, you’re not alone. You can rest assured presbyopia is a very normal part of ageing.

Here are 5 of the most common myths about presbyopia/reading glasses debunked.

Myth #1: Presbyopia means you’re going blind

This is perhaps the most widespread myth about presbyopia. The reality is that presbyopia has nothing to do with blindness. Presbyopia is a natural part of ageing and is completely normal. As mentioned, Presbyopia occurs when the lens of the eye hardens over time. If left untreated then it may turn into cataracts which can cause cloudy vision and eventually blindness – but this is exceedingly rare in developed countries where cataract surgery is widely available.

Myth #2: Wearing glasses will make my vision worse

This myth likely persists because people mistakenly believe that glasses weaken eyesight. However, this is not true. Glasses do not make your eyesight worse, they simply help you to see more clearly by correcting refractive errors.

Myth #3: Only old people get presbyopia

This myth is simply not true. Presbyopia occurs as a result of ageing, so it can affect people of any age who are over 40 years old. You’re not old at 40!

Myth #4: Presbyopia is caused by looking at screens all day long

While staring at screens all day long can cause eye strain, it’s not the cause of presbyopia. Presbyopia is caused by a loss of elasticity in the eye’s lens, which makes it difficult to focus on close objects.

Myth #5: There’s nothing I can do about presbyopia

There are several treatment options available for presbyopia, and the best option for you will depend on your individual needs and lifestyle. The only permanent option is lens replacement surgery. Lens replacement surgery involves removing your natural aged lens and replacing it with an artificial one called an intraocular lens. This is a permanent solution and eliminates the cause of presbyopia which in turn also eliminates the chances of developing cataracts.

If you’re 40+ and have started having trouble seeing things up close, there’s a good chance that you have presbyopia. However, there are a lot of myths about laser eye surgery, presbyopia and reading glasses that can cause confusion.

So if your vision isn’t what it used to be, call us or book an appointment to discuss the best way to improve your vision.