Presbyopia is a difficulty in focusing that many people begin noticing after age 40. Most people first notice difficulty in reading very fine print. Print seems to have less contrast and a brighter, more direct light is needed for reading. In many cases, patients begin holding reading material further away to help them focus. Eye fatigue often occurs when reading a book or computer screen.
Presbyopia is a normal process that eventually everyone experiences. It can be detected with simple vision testing and a refraction. Depending on the patient's prior vision, reading or bifocal glasses or contact lenses are solutions. Monovision is another solution; using contact lenses or refractive surgery, one eye is adjusted for distance vision and the other eye is adjusted for reading vision.