Presbyopia Treatment in Bronxville & White Plains, NY
If you have started holding your phone or menu at arm’s length to read, you may be experiencing presbyopia. At Bronxville Vision Care Inc, our optometrists in Bronxville and White Plains, NY diagnose age-related near vision changes and provide reading glasses, progressive lenses, and multifocal contact lenses to keep you seeing clearly.
Request an AppointmentWhat Is Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is the gradual, age-related loss of the eye’s ability to focus on close objects. Inside the eye, the natural lens is flexible when we are young, allowing it to change shape and focus at different distances. Over time, the lens becomes stiffer, making it harder to see small print, menus, and phone screens up close. Presbyopia usually becomes noticeable in the early to mid-40s and continues to progress into the 60s. It is a normal part of aging and happens to nearly everyone, even people who have never needed glasses.
Signs You May Have Presbyopia
- Holding books, menus, or your phone at arm’s length to read
- Blurry near vision at your usual reading distance
- Needing brighter light to read
- Eye strain, fatigue, or headaches after close work
- Trouble switching focus between near and far
Presbyopia vs. Farsightedness
Presbyopia and hyperopia both make close vision difficult, but they are different. Hyperopia is caused by the shape of the eye and can affect people of any age, while presbyopia is caused by age-related changes in the lens. People who are nearsighted from myopia or who have astigmatism will also develop presbyopia and may need multifocal correction.
Diagnosing Presbyopia
Our optometrists diagnose presbyopia during a comprehensive eye exam that includes near-vision testing and refraction. Because the 40s are also when the risk of glaucoma and early cataracts begins to rise, this exam is also an important opportunity to check your overall eye health.
Treatment Options for Presbyopia
Presbyopia is easily corrected. Options include reading glasses, bifocals, and progressive lenses, which provide clear vision at all distances without a visible line. Our optical offers a wide range of designer frames to suit your style, and our lens experts can recommend coatings that reduce glare and digital eye strain, especially if computer vision symptoms are adding to your discomfort. Patients who prefer not to wear glasses can try multifocal or monovision contact lenses, and some specialty designs are available through our hard-to-fit contact lenses service. Be sure to check our specials for current offers on progressive lenses and frames.
Presbyopia FAQs
At what age does presbyopia start?
Most people begin to notice presbyopia in their early to mid-40s, and it continues to progress until about age 65.
Can presbyopia be prevented?
No. Presbyopia is a natural part of aging that affects nearly everyone, but it is easy to correct with glasses or contact lenses.
Are progressive lenses better than bifocals?
Progressive lenses offer a smooth transition between distance, intermediate, and near vision without a visible line. Many patients prefer them, but the best choice depends on your needs.
Can I wear contact lenses for presbyopia?
Yes. Multifocal and monovision contact lenses can correct presbyopia for many patients.
Are drugstore reading glasses okay?
Over-the-counter readers can help some people, but they do not account for differences between eyes or astigmatism. An eye exam also checks for eye disease.
Will my presbyopia prescription keep changing?
Yes. Near-vision prescriptions typically change every few years until your mid-60s, so routine exams help keep you seeing comfortably.
How do I schedule a presbyopia exam?
Call our Bronxville office at (914) 337-4440 or our White Plains office at (914) 949-8900, or request an appointment online.
Read Comfortably Again
Schedule your presbyopia exam with Bronxville Vision Care Inc. Call our Bronxville office at (914) 337-4440 or our White Plains office at (914) 949-8900.