Presbyopia & Near Vision Correction at
Brass Eye Center in Albany New York

Presbyopia is one of the first changes that results from the crystalline lens losing its flexibility. Presbyopia begins at around age 40 and progresses until about age 65. Until approximately the age of 40, the crystalline lens is both “crystal “ clear and quite soft and flexible. This flexibility permits the crystalline lens to change its shape and alter its curvature so that it can help focus your vision at various distances-from far, to near, to arms length, to far or near again. This flexibility gives you the ability to see things at all distances.

Around the time we enter our 40’s, the crystalline lens begins to stiffen. The stiffening of the crystalline lens makes it progressively more difficult to change focus and thus to see clearly at all distances. Usually this reduces our ability to see objects clearly at arms length or close objects, or reading material. When this loss of flexibility occurs, it is called Presbyopia or “old eyes’. Presbyopia is a normal and expected consequence of growing older and it affects everyone. As the crystalline lens loses its ability to flex and change shape, it is no longer able to bend light rays. This results in a gradual and progressive loss of your ability to focus on near objects.

Patients who experience the start of Presbyopia will most often observe, that their "arms are too short" requiring them to see up close by moving near objects and reading material farther away in order to bring them into focus and see them clearly.

It is important to note that Presbyopia affects everyone including those who have cataracts. When Presbyopia begins people who have never worn eyeglasses find that they need reading glasses or bifocals in order to read and see up close. People who already wear glasses may need bifocals or trifocals in order to see comfortably up close.

There have been many advances in cataract surgery and lens implant surgery techniques. Today, patients can elect to have presbyopia correcting multifocal lens implants so that lens replacement surgery can help patients achieve clear distance vision as well restore their normal range of vision without being dependent on bifocals or trifocals.

Brass Eye Center provides treatment of Cataracts, Cataract Surgery and Lens Implants in New York and is conveniently located for New York patients from Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park, Cohoes, East Glenville, Loudonville, Mechanicsville, Niskyuna, Rexford, Westmere, Colonie, Half Moon and Delmar New York. Please phone 518.782.7827 to schedule an appointment for a Cataract & Lens Implant Consultation.