What is Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is similar to farsightedness. Both result in a person’s inability to focus to see objects that are near. However, that is where the similarities end. While farsightedness occurs as a result of the shape of the eyeball, which causes the light entering the eye to focus incorrectly, Presbyopia is the result of the normal aging. As the eye ages, its lens begins to lose its flexibility and the ability to focus to see objects that are near.
There’s an App for that
If you suffer from Presbyopia, there may be a solution. And it may be sitting in your pocket. According to a 30-person, 12-week study published in February 2012 in the journal Scientific Reports, GlasseOff, an iPhone app, could help those with Presbyopia read letters 1.6 times smaller than they previously could. The app utilizes a technique called perceptual learning to reduce, and sometimes eliminate, the need for reading glasses.
The app is free for the first two or three weeks after sign up. It costs $59 ever four months after that to continue use.
However, before you get too excited, James Salz, a clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of Southern California, reminds Presbyopia sufferers that the app “might help people to better recognize slightly blurry images, but it isn’t going to change the elasticity of the lens.” The app isn’t a cure for Presbyopia.
Recognizing the Warning Signs of Presbyopia
Presbyopia will affect everyone at some point in life. Symptoms typically begin to appear around the age of 40. They include:
- The inability to read materials at normal distance.
- Headaches or fatigue as the result of doing close work.
If you are experiencing the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor – Ophthalmologist or Optometrist – at your earliest convenience. He or she will inspect your eyes for common eye diseases and other problems affecting your vision, such as Presbyopia.
If you have any questions about Presbyopia or wish to schedule an appointment with Anne Arundel Eye Center, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists here at AAEC by calling 410-224-2010 or visiting AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!
For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.
Sources:
Can an App Improve Vision? The Wall Street Journal