Presbyopia is a natural occurrence that generally affects individuals beginning in their 40’s. As we age, the natural lens of the eye losses flexibility and the ability to change its focusing distance, known as accommodation. When presbyopia develops, close-range activities such as reading a book or viewing a computer screen may become increasingly difficult.

Presbyopia is not a refractive error like near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism. There are no changes to the shape of the cornea or natural lens in presbyopia. In fact, people often have one or more refractive errors in combination with presbyopia.

It is estimated that 90 million Americans currently have or will develop presbyopia in the next five years. In the past, reading glasses or bifocals were the only means available to correct vision in people with presbyopia. Today, however, patients have many more options, ranging from glasses and contacts to intraocular lenses and surgical correction.