What Is Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is the loss of close-up focusing. Normally, the lens in the eye changes shape to focus light directly on the retina (back of the eye). But with age, the lens hardens and cannot change its shape as easily. It then can't focus clearly on close objects. This makes them look blurry.

What Are the Symptoms?

Presbyopia makes it hard to do things close up, such as read small print, use tools, or thread a needle. The first sign may be a tired feeling when you look at something close up. Presbyopia most often starts when you're 40 to 45 years old. It slowly gets worse until you're about 60 to 65.