[Presbyopia] What causes presbyopia? Let's find out through self-diagnosis!

Presbyopia, where vision becomes dim and blurry! Since it's a condition that affects everyone, accurate understanding is important.

Most patients believe that presbyopia occurs due to a weakening of the ciliary muscles, which adjust the thickness of the lens.

However, did you know that this is not true?

Presbyopia is a condition that occurs not because the ciliary body loses muscle function, but because the lens becomes thick and hard. Symptoms of presbyopia include a loss of the ability to adjust focal length, leading to difficulty focusing on close objects, books, or mobile phones, and easily feeling fatigued.

1. Symptoms of Presbyopia

Presbyopia occurs when the lens's ‘ability to adjust focal length’ decreases, making it difficult to see nearby objects. It becomes challenging to perform close-up tasks such as reading, using a smartphone, or sewing. In the early stages, even if vision is clear for a moment, it soon becomes blurry, or one might feel tired after just a short period of reading.

2. Causes of Presbyopia

The ciliary muscles continue to function even with age, so it's unlikely they are the cause of presbyopia.

The true cause of presbyopia lies in the lens.

It is a combination of the lens, which is made of protein, losing its elasticity and becoming progressively harder, and also becoming thicker with age, that leads to a loss of accommodative ability.

Symptoms usually appear after the mid-40s, but recently, with an increase in close-up work such as using smartphones, the onset age tends to be earlier.

3. Presbyopia Self-Diagnosis

Presbyopia is characterized by difficulty with close-up tasks. Based on this, let's look at several self-diagnosis criteria for presbyopia.

- When alternating between looking at distant and near objects, the focus transition is slow.

- It's difficult to check mobile phone buttons or text messages with bare eyes.

- Mistakes are frequent during detailed work.

- Frown lines and forehead wrinkles are severe.

- Headaches occur during close-up work.

- Vision becomes blurry, leading to frequent eye rubbing.

- The above symptoms worsen in dark places.

If even one of these applies, it's advisable to suspect ‘presbyopia’.

Protect the eye health of your precious family through presbyopia self-diagnosis!

So far, we've learned clear facts about presbyopia with Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic.

Why not check and manage the eye health of yourself and your precious family members through presbyopia self-diagnosis?

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real cause of presbyopia?

The real cause of presbyopia is a combination of the lens losing its elasticity and becoming progressively harder, and also thickening with age, which leads to a loss of accommodative ability. It is not due to weakened ciliary muscle function.

What are the main symptoms of presbyopia?

The main symptom of presbyopia is difficulty seeing nearby objects. Close-up tasks such as reading and smartphone use become challenging. In the early stages, even if vision is clear for a moment, it soon becomes blurry or one might easily feel fatigued.

How can I self-diagnose presbyopia?

Yes, self-diagnosis is possible. If the focus transition is slow when alternating between looking at distant and near objects, if it's difficult to check mobile phone messages with bare eyes, or if mistakes are frequent during detailed work, you can suspect presbyopia.

At what age does presbyopia usually start?

Symptoms of presbyopia usually appear after the mid-40s. However, recently, with an increase in close-up work such as smartphone use, the onset age tends to be earlier.

Is presbyopia caused by weakened ciliary muscle function?

No, weakened ciliary muscle function is not the cause of presbyopia. The ciliary muscles continue to function even with age, so presbyopia is a condition that occurs because the lens becomes thick and hard.