Presbyopia is the loss of close-up focusing. It's not a disease. It is a normal aging process of the eye. When you are younger, the lens in your eye changes shape to focus light directly on the back of your eye (the retina). But as you get older, the lens hardens and can't 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. This includes reading small print, using tools, and threading 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. But it can start at an earlier age.
Online Medical Reviewer: Chris Haupert MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN
Online Medical Reviewer: Rita Sather RN
Date Last Reviewed: 12/01/2022
© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Related Articles
Understanding Pterygium
A pterygium is a wedge-shaped growth on your eye. It may be white, pink, or red in color. It is not cancer.
Conjunctivitis, Allergic
Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by an allergen. Symptoms may include redness of the eye, swelling, fluid leakage, and itching or burning.
What Are Cataracts?
A clear lens in the eye focuses light. This lets the eye see images sharply. With age, the lens slowly becomes cloudy. The cloudy lens is a cataract. A cataract scatters light and makes it hard for the eye to focus.
Chronic Open-Angle Glaucoma
Open-angle glaucoma is when the fluid pressure in the eye slowly increases. This causes vision loss over months to years and may cause complete blindness if not treated.