There is a moment many people remember exactly: the day they held their phone or the restaurant menu further away because the text looked blurry. For some it comes at 42, for others a little later, but almost nobody escapes it. It is called presbyopia —also known as "tired eyes"— and it is not a disease: it is a completely normal part of the eye's ageing.
The important thing is to spot it in time. Putting off a visit to the optician does not make presbyopia go away; it just makes your eyes work harder than necessary and your quality of life suffer. In this article we explain what presbyopia is, what its most common symptoms are and what you can do when it appears.
What presbyopia is (and why it happens to everyone)
The crystalline lens is the eye's natural lens: a flexible structure that curves and flattens to focus on objects at different distances. Over the years, the lens loses elasticity and the ciliary muscle that controls it weakens. The result: focusing up close takes more and more effort.
This process is called presbyopia and it is cumulative and irreversible. Strictly speaking it has no cure, but it is easily corrected with reading lenses, bifocals or, most commonly today, with progressive glasses.
At what age does it appear?
Presbyopia follows a fairly predictable pattern:
The 6 most common symptoms of presbyopia
Not all symptoms appear at once, and their intensity varies from person to person. But these are the most common ones we see in our practice:
Difficulty reading up close
Text on your phone, in the newspaper or in a book looks blurry even in good light.
"Short arm syndrome"
You instinctively hold your phone or book further away so the text is sharper.
You need more light to read
You used to read anywhere; now you look for a lamp or turn your screen up to maximum.
Slow to refocus
When you switch from looking into the distance to a nearby object (or vice versa), it takes a few seconds for your focus to adjust.
Headaches after reading
The extra effort your eyes make to focus results in eye strain and headaches, especially at the end of the day.
Squinting to focus
Without realising it, you squint when reading or looking at screens. It is a trick your brain uses to improve focus momentarily.
Presbyopia vs. myopia: a common confusion
Many people confuse presbyopia with myopia or other vision problems. These are the key differences:
Presbyopia (tired eyes)
- Appears from the age of 40–45
- Difficulty seeing up close
- Distance vision usually stays good
- It is progressive: it gets worse over the years
- It happens to practically everyone
- Corrected with progressive or reading glasses
Myopia
- Usually appears in childhood or adolescence
- Difficulty seeing at a distance
- Near vision is good (or even improves)
- It may stabilise in adulthood
- It is hereditary and depends on the shape of the eye
- Corrected with minus glasses or contact lenses
It is possible to have both at once: a short-sighted person with presbyopia has difficulty both at a distance (without glasses) and up close (with their myopia glasses on). In this case, progressive glasses are the most comfortable solution because they correct both distances in a single lens.
When is the time to see an optician?
The short answer: as soon as you notice any of the symptoms above. There is no need to wait for your vision to deteriorate significantly. A timely eye test allows you to:
- Find out your exact prescription
- Adapt to progressive lenses sooner (the earlier you start, the easier it is to adapt)
- Rule out other causes for the symptoms, such as early-stage glaucoma or cataracts
- Regain quality of life when reading and doing close work
Solutions according to the stage of presbyopia: from the first signs to progressives
Not everyone with presbyopia needs the same thing. The ideal solution depends on what stage the process is at:
Lenses for early presbyopia
For those who are starting to notice discomfort but do not yet need full reading glasses (usually between the ages of 38 and 45).
These are single-vision lenses with a slight near-vision boost (between +0.75 and +1.25 dioptres) that reduce eye strain and make screen work and reading easier. They let you keep a single pair of glasses for everything without making the jump to progressives.
Examples: Zeiss SmartLife Young, Essilor Eyezen, Rodenstock Ergo Young
Lenses with near-vision boost (occupational)
Designed for those who spend many hours in front of screens or doing close work. They have an optimised lower zone that reduces the effort of the ciliary muscle.
They are ideal both for people with early presbyopia and for young people with a heavy digital visual workload. They help prevent fatigue and, in some cases, delay the onset of presbyopia symptoms.
Examples: Zeiss Digital Lens, Essilor Eyezen+, Hoya Sync III
Progressive glasses
The most complete solution once presbyopia is established. They correct distance, intermediate and near vision in a single lens, with no visible dividing line.
Today's designs have much wider vision corridors than those of a decade ago. Most people adapt within one or two weeks if the lens is well chosen and the optician takes the centring measurements correctly.
Available from Zeiss, Essilor, Rodenstock, Indo, Hoya, Shamir
Progressive glasses: the most complete solution
Progressive glasses are the preferred option for most people with presbyopia because they cover all three distances (far, intermediate and near) in a single lens, without the dividing line of classic bifocals.
There is a widespread myth that progressives are difficult to use. The reality is that today's designs have much wider vision corridors than those of a decade ago, and most people adapt within one or two weeks. The key is choosing a quality lens and having the optician take the centring measurements properly.
At Òptica Florit we work with the leading progressive lens brands on the market (Zeiss, Essilor, Rodenstock, Indo) and take the time needed for each customer to choose the option that best suits their lifestyle and daily activities.
Do you think it might be presbyopia?
Come for an eye test at our opticians in the Eixample. No appointment needed, free of charge, with all the time you need.
Visit Òptica FloritFrequently asked questions about presbyopia
Can presbyopia be corrected?
Yes, and very comfortably. Although the change in the lens is natural and irreversible, it is perfectly corrected with progressive glasses, multifocal contact lenses or, in some cases, refractive surgery. The vast majority of people with presbyopia lead completely normal lives without it limiting them in any way.
If I am short-sighted, will I also get presbyopia?
Yes, although you may notice it a little later. A short-sighted person can read up close by taking their glasses off for longer than someone without a prescription, but presbyopia appears all the same. The solution is usually progressive glasses that combine your distance and near prescriptions.
Are ready-made reading glasses any good?
They can be an emergency solution, but they have important drawbacks: the prescription is the same for both eyes (when each eye usually needs something different), they lack quality coatings and they are not fitted to your face. Prolonged use can cause more eye strain. An eye test and made-to-measure glasses make an enormous difference.
Can I wear contact lenses if I have presbyopia?
Yes. There are multifocal contact lenses that correct presbyopia very comfortably. If you already wore contact lenses, you will probably be able to keep wearing them with a multifocal fitting. Ask us and we will advise you.
What is the difference between early-presbyopia lenses and progressives?
Early-presbyopia lenses are single-vision lenses with a small boost in the lower zone (usually between +0.75 and +1.25 D). They are for people who are starting to notice discomfort but do not yet need distance correction or a full progressive. Progressives have three distinct zones (far, intermediate and near) and are recommended once presbyopia is established.
At Òptica Florit we have been in Barcelona's Eixample for more than 100 years, helping our customers see clearly at every stage of life. If you have any questions about your vision, we are here to help.
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