Why Is My Near Vision Getting Worse?

Do you find yourself holding reading material further away? Is fine print becoming too small to see comfortably? If you answered yes, you may be experiencing the first signs of presbyopia. This change happens in everyone over time, even for people who have never needed glasses!

Presbyopia is a condition that affects people around the age of forty. Over time, the crystalline lens in the eye loses its ability to change focus readily. As a result, it can be difficult to see near objects. The eyes do not transition as quickly from near to far and vice versa. In addition, the closer something is held, the harder it is to see. Eventually, this causes you to need a different prescription for reading than for distance vision. 

In order to focus at more than one distance, bifocal or progressive lenses are needed. Bifocals focus at two distances, typically distance and near, and have a visible line within the lenses. 

Progressives, which are sometimes referred to as no-line bifocals, enable people to see clearly at all distances with one pair of glasses. Progressives are multifocal lenses, meaning they focus at a range of distances. The top of the lens is for viewing distance objects, such as driving or watching tv. Slightly below that is the intermediate zone, which is for the computer and dashboard. The lowest portion of the lens is for reading and phone use. Depending on where you look through the lens, different distances become clear. 

The design of progressive lenses does take some getting used to at first. Most people adjust very well to their new lenses, but there is often an adaptation period of a week or two. New wearers learn how to adjust their heads and their environment slightly to make sure they are looking through the proper zones for each distance. Due to the lineless blending of a distance, intermediate, and near prescription in one lens, there is a little bit of peripheral distortion within the lenses. The central vision tends to be better than the periphery. This too becomes easier to adjust to with a little bit of time and adaptation. 

When you come to the Optical Centre to choose your glasses, our knowledgeable opticians help you to seamlessly transition into progressives. There are different progressive designs that optimize different distances, so they will fit you in the best type of progressive lenses for your individual needs. Our opticians will inform you of all the options and discuss which will work best for your lifestyle. 

With each of our glasses fittings, especially progressives, we take very careful measurements. Because progressives have different zones for different distances, it matters a great deal if your eyes are aligned properly within the frames. We not only measure the distance between each of your eyes and the center of the frame, but also the height of the reading section for each eye. We also consider how far away from your eyes the lenses sit and how high or low they sit on your face. In this way, we ensure that the lenses are customized perfectly for your face. 

We take pride in fitting you in the best options available to meet both your style and visual needs! Come see us today to try them for yourself!

Dr Erica Whitmire OD
The Optical Centre
Longmont, CO

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At Optical Centre, Inc you will receive only the highest quality eye exam with our eye doctor in the Longmont, CO and surrounding areas. Call us at 303-772-6650 or schedule an appointment online with our highly trained optometrist in Longmont. The next time you need an eye exam be sure to visit the Optical Centre, Inc where we always put the care of you and your family first.