Skip to main content

Reading Vision

difficulties with reading

As you get older, you gradually realize that your eyes are not as good as they once were. Reading fine print becomes increasingly difficult. You might even find that you need to hold your book or newspaper farther away from you in order to be able to focus on the printed material.

How we see depends on the way our eyes interact with light in the environment. Blurry vision is caused by the refraction of light that enters into the eye. This is known as a refractory error. There are a variety of refractory error problems. These include:

  • Myopia (nearsightedness)
  • Presbyopia (reading vision)
  • Hyperopia (farsightedness)
  • Astigmatism

What causes reading vision problems?

The eyes rely on the cornea and the lens to focus light that is reflected off objects that you see. The closer an object is, the more the lens flexes.

The lens in the eye is a flexible organ and can change shape with the help of the surrounding muscles. When you focus at something in the distance, the muscles relax, and the elastic lens can curve and change focusing power. Similarly, when you look at something close by, the muscles tighten up or constrict, and the lens can change focusing power again.

As we grow older, the lens loses its suppleness. The lens begins to become hard – a common occurrence as you grow older. When the lens of the eye gets hard, it also loses its elasticity. With less flexibility and elasticity, the lens can no longer change shape and focus on images that are close to us. So, these close images end up looking out of focus. You will find that you have to hold reading material farther away from you – at a distance that the lens in your eyes can focus on.

Treatment Options

There are several treatment options available for reading vision problems. These treatments may be surgical and non-surgical in nature.

  • Bifocal reading glasses
  • Monovision LASIK
  • Bifocal or progressive contact lenses
  • Clear lens exchange

When to see a doctor

If you have difficulty with your reading vision and written materials get blurry, or if you need to keep reading materials farther away from you to be able to read, then you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. The faster the condition is treated, the quicker you can get back to leading a normal life. Presbyopia leads to very strained eyes and even excruciating headaches because of the eye’s inability to focus on near objects anymore.

If you believe that you or a loved one suffers from a lowered reading vision or presbyopia, then we recommend you see your ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

About Advanced Vision Care

Advanced Vision Care is a private practice in Los Angeles, California. We pride ourselves on being early adopters of the latest and most successful eye treatments. Give us a call and we will arrange a consultation with our specialists. We will test and diagnose your eye condition, and discuss your best treatment options with you.

Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at 310-229-1220.
Contact Us
close slider

    SEND US A MESSAGE




    310.229.1220
    Directions