What is presbyopia?

Presbyopia is accurately defined as a gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus on nearby objects. This condition typically emerges as people age, generally becoming noticeable in their 40s or 50s. The lens in the eye becomes less flexible, making it difficult to change shape and focus on close objects. As a result, individuals with presbyopia often find themselves needing reading glasses or other corrective lenses to aid in seeing clearly up close.

This condition is a normal part of the aging process and is distinct from other vision-related issues. It is not characterized by a sudden loss of vision or any impairment in depth perception; those concerns would relate to different conditions. Similarly, presbyopia is not related to color blindness, which involves difficulty in distinguishing between different colors. Understanding presbyopia is essential for identifying proper corrective measures and helping individuals maintain their ability to see clearly at all distances.