Your Arms Are Too Short: How Your
Eyes Change With Age
The Tescher Eye Center specializes in patients suffering
from this condition. We will educate you on the changes that are taking place in
your eyes, explaining the future course of the condition, and designing a
customized plan that will take into account your lifestyle and occupational
needs. We stay current with new procedures and lens designs that are available
all over the world to help you see your best.
PRESBYOPIA: A normal condition that happens to
everyone eventually and usually starts around the age of 40 is when the lens
inside your eye and the muscles controlling it are unable to focus on near
objects. The problem is progressive and unfortunately will not improve but will
only get worse. When you can’t stretch out your arms far enough to see close
things and your arms become too short then Dr. Tescher will give you the
following options:
Let’s get out of the way the few things that some of my
patients do to cope with the aging of their eyes and don’t require much of my
professional advice.
1. Stop reading and/or have their kids read to them
2. Only read outdoors when the sun is real bright.
3. Stop going to restaurants that have small menu print and candles on the
tables.
4. Enlarge the font on the computer.
5. Read with the book on the floor while standing up.
6. Look at the pictures only in the newspaper and magazines.
7. Borrow their wives glasses.
When you are ready to accept the fact that you are maturing and the problem is
not going away, here are the options that we will be discussing.
Eyeglasses: Reading glasses that unlike store bought cheaters will
correct each eye individually and center the lens according to the distance
between your eyes. Bifocal glasses that have a line or round segment.
Progressive lenses that focus at distance, near, and every in between.
Contact Lenses: Lenses for distance vision with reading glasses put over
them to see close. Monovision is a strategy that has one eye see things for
distance and the other sees things for near. A surprisingly successful modality
that if successful can lead to other options for managing presbyopia. Multifocal
disposable contact lenses that are fit so that both eyes can see distance,
intermediate, and near. Many options available including eyes with astigmatism
or patients who want different colored eyes.
Surgery: Lasik for distance only with reading glasses or monovision lasik
are potential options. CK (conductive keratoplasty) with monovision modality can
temporarily improve near vision. Lens replacement surgery with a multifocal
implant or crystallens can virtually eliminate your dependence on glasses or
contact lenses.
Expiremental Procedures: Dr. Tescher is always on the lookout for new
glasses, contact lenses, pharmaceuticals, surgeries that become available.
Your arms getting shorter (presbyopia) is a fact of life that is frightening
initially, but once you understand what is happening to your eyes and accept
that it will not improve, we are here to help. Call the Tescher Eye Center at
305-945-7113 and make an appointment with our doctors to discuss all the above
options and what will work best for your eyesight.
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