Presbyopia Glasses in Singapore

What is Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is a condition that causes your eyes to lose their ability to focus on nearby objects. It is a common condition that arises with age, usually occurring around age 40. If you have difficulty reading your favourite novel or texts from friends or family, even with your prescription eyeglasses, it may be a sign of presbyopia.

This condition arises from changes in the lens, a clear disc located behind the iris that allows you to focus on various objects. At a young age, the lens is typically soft and flexible, allowing light to focus on the retina and enabling you to see nearby or faraway objects. At age 40, the lens becomes more rigid as it gradually loses its elasticity and flexibility, making it difficult to focus light onto the retina.

Apart from difficulty focusing, common symptoms of presbyopia include:

Blurry vision
Eye strain
Occasional headaches when focusing your vision
Needing extra light for easier viewing

Presbyopia worsens with age and can make daily activities more difficult, but it can be managed with corrective eyeglasses, contact lenses, and medications.

How Presbyopia Glasses Help

Prescription presbyopia glasses are designed to correct the changes your eye lens undergoes as a result of the condition. These glasses feature lenses that bend (or refract) light before it enters your eye, allowing light to be focused directly onto the retina. Their portability also makes it easy to use your glasses anytime, anywhere.

Additionally, presbyopia glasses are available in various diopters (which determine the lens’s power), ensuring there are suitable lenses for different presbyopia needs. Finding the right diopter requires a visit to a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist, who may conduct a detailed eye exam and determine the appropriate lens power for your vision correction needs.

Types of Presbyopia Glasses Available

Presbyopia glasses are commonly available in various types that address specific vision needs.

Reading Glasses

Reading glasses are a simple and affordable option for correcting mild presbyopia. They help you to clearly see objects up close, so you can read books or messages without straining your eyes. While it is possible to purchase reading glasses without a prescription, as reading glasses come in various corrective powers, an eye exam will help you determine the correct power for corrective vision. However, these glasses are primarily used for near vision and are not suitable for medium to long-distance vision.

Bifocals

Bifocal glasses provide two different powers in a single lens, with a visible line that delineates two separate zones: the upper zone provides clear distance vision, while the lower segment provides clear near vision. These glasses are suitable for people who may need correction for both presbyopia and another vision condition, without having to switch between different pairs of corrective glasses. Wearers may require some practice to become familiar with switching between the different vision zones.

Trifocals

A variant of the bifocals, trifocals have three vision zones instead of two, with the additional zone dedicated to intermediate vision. These trifocals provide reliable vision support for those with complex vision needs. However, they may take longer to get used to than bifocals.

Progressive Lens Glasses

These glasses use a modern multifocal lens called a progressive lens, which shares similar principles to bifocals and trifocals. The lenses also feature distinct vision zones for different distances, but without visible lines to delineate them, as refraction changes gradually from one zone to the next.

Presbyopia Glasses vs. Contact Lenses

Unlike conventional eyeglasses, contact lenses are thin, rounded lenses that you place on the surface of your eyes to correct vision. Presbyopia contact lenses are available in two different types.

Monovision contact lenses: Monovision contact lenses feature two distinct lenses: one corrects distance vision in one eye, while the other provides near vision in the other eye. Training is required to help your brain adapt to using both lenses to correct presbyopia, but some users may find it harder to judge distances while wearing them.
Multifocal contact lenses: Similar to bifocal or trifocal glasses, these lenses feature multiple powers to provide both near and far vision simultaneously. They may be easier to adapt to than monovision contacts, as the lenses are designed to support focus at different distances.

Some people may find contact lenses more convenient than conventional glasses for various reasons.

Portable

Contact lenses can be easily stored in small, portable lens cases, which are much more compact and space-saving than bulkier eyeglass cases.

Natural Field of Vision

Contact lenses rest on the eye’s surface, providing a clear field of view without being obstructed by a noticeable frame.

Active Lifestyles

Contact lenses remain in place even during strenuous physical activities, making them suitable for those who lead active lifestyles. They eliminate the inconvenience of glasses falling off your nose or getting damaged in an accidental fall.

Varied Options

You can choose from disposable or extended-wear contact lenses, available in various powers and featuring multiple customisation options, such as lens colours. Disposable contact lenses are low-maintenance options that you must replace regularly, while extended-wear lenses allow long-term wear for several weeks to a full month but require regular cleaning.

Feel free to contact our team to learn more about presbyopia glasses and contact lenses.