Aging eyes? You now have options beyond bothersome reading glasses

We've all been there — sitting at a restaurant, unable to make out the tiny text on the menu as the server and friends wait for our order. If this sounds familiar, your smartphone is probably also getting harder to read close up and your eyes become tired after just a few hours of working on the computer.

The signs might come gradually, often so subtle that it takes a little while to for you to notice that you might have presbyopia. This eye condition often occurs after age 40 and involves the gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus on close objects. The number of people with presbyopia is estimated at 1.7 billion worldwide. 

That loss of focus can have functional, self-image, and emotional impacts. In fact, a recent survey shows that almost half of adults say reading glasses not only make someone look older, they also make them feel older.

For Marc Saltzman, technology expert and columnist, presbyopia is an issue challenging more and more of his peers.

“With the introduction of new smart tech, we're seeing some incredible products come on the market. We're tracking our steps, pulse, stocks, and golf scores ( all on tiny handheld devices,” he says. “While these devices are absolutely incredible, what they don't take into account is our aging population. As a result, I hear from many consumers that they're often frustrated with having to find their readers to use all these great new tech and mobile devices.”

To help us learn more about our options, Alcon Canada, a global leader in eye care, has launched loseyourreaders.ca. This online resource can help you learn more about multifocal contact lenses, including daily disposable and monthly wear options.

“Many Canadians with presbyopia are surprised to learn that a variety of treatment options other than reading glasses are available,” says Dr. Michael Kaplan, a Toronto-based optometrist. “Anyone starting to experience vision problems should talk to their optometrist.”

www.newscanada.com