Vision Care Services

Presbyopia

Reading up close getting harder? That’s presbyopia.

Presbyopia is the normal, age-related loss of focusing power for close vision. It usually starts in your early to mid 40s: you hold your phone farther away, need more light to read, or get tired eyes doing close work.

Everyone develops presbyopia, even people who have always had perfect vision. The good news is there are more options than ever, from glasses and contacts to prescription eye drops.

GlassesReading, computer and AI-designed progressive lenses, made to your measurements.

Contact lensesMultifocal and monovision contact lenses, fitted in office.

Prescription dropsPilocarpine drops such as Vuity and Qlosi that can improve near vision for several hours.

Signs of presbyopia

Holding your phone, menu or book at arm’s length to read
Needing brighter light for close work
Eye strain, headaches or tired eyes while reading
Blurry near vision through your current glasses or contacts

Your options

Reading glasses for close work only
Computer glasses set for screen distance
Progressive lenses for clear distance, intermediate and near vision in one pair, including AI-designed free-form progressives
Multifocal contact lenses, and monovision (one eye set for distance, one for near)
Prescription eye drops such as pilocarpine (Vuity, Qlosi), which temporarily improve near vision
Surgical options, such as refractive lens exchange, which we can discuss and refer for

Tried progressives before?

If progressives felt off before, the problem is often the measurements, the lens design or the frame fit, not your eyes. See can’t adapt to progressives.

Presbyopia and eye health

Presbyopia often starts around the same age that the risks of glaucoma and other eye diseases start to rise. A comprehensive eye exam checks your eye health while we update your prescription.

Common questions

At what age does presbyopia start?

Usually in the early to mid 40s, and it slowly increases until around age 60.

Can presbyopia be reversed?

Presbyopia can’t be reversed, but glasses, contact lenses and prescription drops can correct it, and surgical options exist.

Do eye drops for presbyopia work?

Prescription pilocarpine drops such as Vuity and Qlosi can improve near vision for several hours in many people. They aren’t for everyone, so we review your eye health first.

Are reading glasses from the store OK?

They can work for some people, but they have the same power in both eyes and don’t correct astigmatism. An eye exam gives you the right prescription and checks your eye health.

Can I wear contacts for presbyopia?

Yes. Multifocal contact lenses and monovision are good options for many people. We fit them in the office.