Have you noticed yourself holding books or reading material farther away in order to see the print clearly? Have you noticed eye strain or headaches after reading or working on the computer?

If you said “yes” to either question, you may be experiencing presbyopia.

Presbyopia is defined as the gradual loss of the eye’s ability to focus actively on close objects. This is a completely natural process that usually begins to affect people in their 40s and continues to worsen as they age.

The major cause of presbyopia is the hardening of the lens of your eye. As this process worsens and the flexibility of the lens decreases, it can no longer change shape to focus on nearby images. This causes the image to appear out of focus.

Presbyopia forces the muscles around the lens to work harder to focus on close-up objects which in turn causes the muscles to fatigue.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of presbyopia it is important to have your eyes checked. A basic eye exam performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is usually sufficient to determine if you have presbyopia. During the examination, the doctor will perform a series of tests using various sophisticated instruments and machines. These tests are used to evaluate different aspects of your vision.

If you have been diagnosed with presbyopia, the treatment is usually quite simple. The goal of treatment is to compensate for your eye’s inability to focus on close objects. If your presbyopia is mild, you may be able to use non-prescription reading glasses. These are the ones that you can buy at your local drug store.

However, if you require a stronger prescription, custom-made glasses are really your only option. There are many different options and choices for lenses which include reading lenses, bifocals and trifocals. Consult with your eye care specialist as to which is best for you. Another form of treatment is refractive surgery. Basically, this surgery changes the shape of your lens in order to improve your vision. An example of this type of procedure is called Lasik surgery.

This type of surgery involves the use of a laser to perform the procedure. Another type of surgery involves the removal of your existing lens and replacement with a synthetic one. It is important to note that there are risks and benefits with all surgeries so it is imperative to consider all options.

It is impossible to prevent presbyopia, however you can take measures to help protect your eyes and keep them healthy. First of all, it is important to have your eyes checked on a regular basis. This will allow for early detection of any problems.

Protecting your eyes from the sun is also very important. Wearing sunglasses that block ultraviolet light is especially important for professional truck drivers due to the fact that your eyes are exposed to the sun for many hours during the day.

Eating healthy foods such as leafy greens and other vegetables is a good practice. These foods contain high levels of antioxidants and vitamins which help to maintain good vision. Finally, it is important to have good lighting when you are reading, which will reduce the amount of strain on the eyes.

Keep these simple tips in mind and you will be well on your way to maintaining your good vision. Until next month, drive safely!