Eyesight can change and worsen over time. The change can be so gradual, in fact, that it can be difficult to know when exactly it is worth getting glasses.
In particular, near vision tends to become much worse after the age of 40. This is because the lens of your eye, which is normally flexible, becomes less flexible as you age. This condition is presbyopia.
People with presbyopia experience a lot of the traditional signs of farsightedness. Reading requires holding books away from your face or dim light means no details. Close up tasks make your eyes strained, and you get frequent headaches.
Many people treat the problem by wearing reading glasses. They are easy to use, inexpensive, and are dependable. But for others, reading glasses seem like a temporary solution, at best. If you don’t want to rely on reading glasses, there’s a procedure known as RLE.
What is RLE?
Refractive lens exchange replaces the lens with devices called IOLs. IOLs are tiny implantable lenses made of either silicone or acrylic materials. They last a lifetime. They also come in a variety of options with many different benefits.
In the case of presbyopia, a standard IOL won’t do you much good. Standard IOLs, also known as monofocal IOLs, correct for only one distance. These IOLs are usually used to replace lenses with cataracts for patients who don’t mind glasses.
If you have presbyopia, you’re going to want to look into premium IOLs. Premium IOLs can come in several varieties: multifocal, accommodating, aspheric, and toric.
Multifocal IOLs act like implanted bifocal lenses. The IOLs themselves refract light for near distance and far distance viewing. Accommodating lenses move like a normal lens inside of the eye.
This allows a smooth transition between focal distances. With accommodating lenses, you may lose near vision, compared to a multifocal lens.
Aspheric IOLs help prevent visual aberrations that people experience from other IOLs. With uniformly shaped eyes from an IOL, you may experience other vision problems.
The aspheric IOLs are often best for patients who have had refractive surgery. Toric IOLs are for patients who have astigmatism. This can be helpful if you have presbyopia and astigmatism.
The Importance of Check Ups
Since sight can be a fickle thing, having a difficult time seeing doesn’t always mean surgery. Want to keep your eyes in the best shape possible?
Having regular eye exams is the way to go! When you see your eye doctor on a regular basis, they can catch problems faster. After all, prevention is the best kind of treatment!
If you do have an eye condition, early treatment is key. You will also be able to ask any questions about RLE and how to maintain your vision. Not everyone wants to live with the frustration of reading glasses, and that’s okay!
Concerned about presbyopia and want more information about RLE? Schedule an appointment at Chicago Cornea Consultants™ in Chicago today! Say goodbye to the reading glasses and hello to better vision!
