Do I Need Reading Glasses?
It is estimated that nearly 62% of the population wears reading glasses as a result of presbyopia, a condition of the eye.
A person with presbyopia does not have a serious eye disease, but rather is merely part of the aging process, which begins after the age of 40. People do not have to wait until they are 60-plus to begin wearing reading glasses.
There is a natural change in the eyes as we age. Presbyopia is a condition that occurs when the lens in the eye becomes rigid, making it difficult for someone to focus on close-up objects. This is a non-serious condition.
People with presbyopia may find it difficult to read a book or hold their phone at arm’s length to focus on a text message, causing anxiety and discomfort. If this is familiar to you, then it is likely that you have presbyopia.
There are many types of optical lenses available for presbyopia, including single vision lenses, bifocals, and multifocals.
Signs you may have Presbyopia
It may not be as simple as you might think to determine whether you require reading glasses or not. Blurry reading, tired eyes, halos, rubbing or squinting, or even headaches are signs that you may need reading glasses.
Blurry close-up vision
You may be suffering from presbyopia if you have noticed that reading a book or magazine is not as clear as it once was, or even having difficulty reading text messages on your phone.
As a result of presbyopia, it is often difficult to read menus in dimly-lit restaurants or to read text messages on a computer when you need to increase the font size on your computer or try to read the menu. When you have reading glasses, you will be able to read menus easily, allowing you to spend more time out and keeping up on your emails as well.
Tired eyes
It is common for the eyes to become tired when reading a book, reading on a tablet, or working on a computer. Because of presbyopia, the eyes work extra hard while focusing on close-up objects. It is because of this that long periods of reading can cause the eyes to feel strained or sleepy. Reading glasses can make a person see more clearly, allowing their eyes to focus and not have to work as much.
Frequent headaches
In the case of presbyopia, many people suffer from headaches as a result of eye strain from prolonged reading or computer work. Reading glasses can help reduce the amount of eye strain that causes frequent headaches.
Seeing halos around lights
In the course of aging, the ability to focus light onto the retina can become scattered, resulting in fuzzy vision or blurred vision. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable when looking at headlights or lightbulbs.
In this case, reading glasses can be helpful, but it could also be a sign of a more serious condition, such as cataracts, so it is imperative that you visit an eye doctor as soon as possible.
Difficulty seeing after dark
A related symptom of presbyopia is a slow deterioration of night vision. This will make it impossible to see closely after dark, regardless of how many lights are on.
It is possible that you are experiencing the first signs of presbyopia if the dashboard on your car is difficult to see, especially at night.
Frequently rubbing your eyes
In addition, this is another symptom that can be attributed to eye strain. Initially, presbyopia may cause eyes to become irritable as a result of working to overcome focusing challenges. The use of reading glasses can help to relieve eye strain and reduce the need to rub the eyes.
Squinting
It is not unusual for people to delay getting eyeglasses for a number of years as the condition progresses slowly. However, if you notice that you are constantly squinting while trying to focus, then it may be time to see an eye doctor.
An eye doctor should be consulted if you notice that your reading or mobile phone is not as clear as it used to be, or if you become fatigued while using a computer.
