What is presbyopia?

Presbyopia is a condition that occurs as a natural part of the aging process, specifically impacting the ability to focus on near objects. As individuals age, the lens of the eye becomes less flexible, making it more difficult to adjust focus for close tasks such as reading or sewing. This shift typically begins in the early to mid-40s and progresses gradually over time.

It is important to distinguish presbyopia from other types of vision issues. For example, the second option involving excessive screen time does not directly cause presbyopia, although it can lead to other visual discomforts or digital eye strain. The third option discusses an eye infection that would require antibiotics, which is unrelated to presbyopia, as it is not an infectious condition but rather a systemic change in lens flexibility. Lastly, the genetic disorder affecting color vision is a distinct class of visual impairment that does not involve focusing mechanisms like presbyopia does. Understanding the nature of presbyopia as an age-related change is crucial for recognizing it in the patient population and managing it appropriately.