As you age, your risk to develop certain visual problems can grow. One such condition that could possibly impact your vision is presbyopia. If you have been recently diagnosed with the condition, you need to understand your treatment options.

What Is Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is a progressive eye condition that can lead to an inability to focus on objects within short range. It is a fairly common eye condition that starts to develop around the mid-40s. Before receiving treatment, you can experience blurred vision, headaches, eyestrain. 

How Is Presbyopia Treated?

The most common treatments for presbyopia are the use of eyeglasses and contact lenses. Depending on the severity of your condition, you might not even need a pair of prescription eyeglasses. Some people are able to use over-the-counter reading glasses to see items that are close in range. It is important that you have an eye examination anyway to find out if this is the best option for you. 

If you opt for contact lenses, the eye doctor will determine which type is the best for you. There are two main types that are used to treat this condition. Bifocal contacts not only help to resolve problems with focusing on objects that are nearby, but they also help with distant objects. Monovision contacts are ideal if you have distance vision problems in one eye in combination with presbyopia. 

What Can You Do?

It is your responsibility to protect your eyes to avoid further visual problems. Part of protecting them and slowing the progression of presbyopia is keeping up with your checkups. Depending on the severity of your condition, the eye doctor could recommend that you have your eyes examined every six months instead of just annually. 

If you have a health condition that can cause visual disturbances, it is important that you follow your doctor's orders for controlling that condition. For instance, if you suffer from hypertension, you need to watch your weight, exercise, avoid stress, and take any medications that your doctor has prescribed to treat the condition. 

You also need to be vigilant about other eye conditions that could possibly develop as you age. If you experience symptoms, such as temporary blindness, flashes of lights, or constant blurriness, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor immediately. It could be a sign that your condition has worsened and an adjustment to your eyeglasses or contacts prescription is needed. It could also indicate that a condition, such as glaucoma, has developed. 

You do not have to suffer through the symptoms of presbyopia. An eye doctor, like those at A New Vision, can help you keep your visual problems under control and also ensure your overall eye health is good.