5
Dec

Even if you have enjoyed relatively good eyesight for most of your life, everyone reaches a point eventually where they need reading glasses. You might remember your grandparents or parents pulling out reading glasses every time they were looking at small details or fine print. This change in vision is a natural part of the aging process.

With age, the structures within the eyes start to change. As flexibility within the eyes decreases, close-up vision becomes more difficult to manage. One thing you might notice is that it becomes more and more difficult to shift your focus from looking at something in the distance to looking at closer objects.

Most Common Age for Reading Glasses

Every patient is different, so there isn’t a specific timeline for when you will need reading glasses. But most people find that they need help with reading glasses between the ages of 41 and 60. Pay attention to how easy it is to read a book or pages in front of you, then talk to an eye doctor to determine if the timing is right to get reading glasses.

Risk Factors that Increase the Likelihood of Reading Glasses

Most people will need reading glasses at some point when they age. But a few things speed up the timeline and increase the likelihood that you will need these corrective lenses at a younger age than normal.

Here are a few risk factors that might increase the risk of early-onset presbyopia:

• Chronic health issues, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
• You spend a lot of time reading
• Family history involving glaucoma or macular degeneration
• Medication usage for conditions such as thyroid issues, high cholesterol, depression, anxiety, or arthritis
• Work conditions that expose your eyes to hazards

When to Talk to an Eye Doctor About Reading Glasses

How can you tell when it’s time to start using reading glasses? If you are consistent with regular eye examinations, your eye doctor will begin to notice the earliest signs that your eyes are changing.

Additionally, you might notice some of these symptoms that you need reading glasses:

• Small print is getting harder to read, especially in dim light
• You often get headaches after reading
• You find yourself stretching books and papers farther away from your face and body to read
• Pain sensations occur in and around the eyes after activities requiring close visual focus, such as reading or sewing

The good news is that reading glasses and simple to use. Talk to us about reading glasses, as well as other corrective solutions such as multifocal lenses. Contact our team at Temecula Creek Optometry for a consultation: (951) 302 -1331.