Cataracts and Presbyopia

Conditions of the Aging Eye

As we grow older, our bodies mature and change naturally. Within the aging eye, these changes often develop into conditions that impact the quality of your vision. But if you're experiencing age-related visual problems, don't give up – with successful treatment, it may be possible to have clearer, brighter and sharper vision than you've had for a long, long time.

Some common problems with aging eyes:

• Presbyopia – As people enter their 40s, they may experience blurred vision when performing everyday "close-up" tasks such as reading, sewing or working at the computer. This condition, called presbyopia, occurs as the lens in the eye becomes less flexible, and the muscles controlling the lens weaken. This is why some people need reading glasses or need to hold objects farther away to see them.
• Cataracts – A cataract is a change in the clarity, or a "clouding," of the lens in your eye. Your crystalline lens

  Crystalline lens: Structure inside the eye that help to bring rays of light to a focus on the retina.

  , which is made mostly of protein and water, can become clouded enough to prevent light and images from reaching the retina. A cataract can be the reason sharp images become blurred and seeing things at night becomes more difficult. More than half of all Americans age 65 and older have a cataract¹, and cataracts are the leading cause of treatable blindness. For more on cataract treatment, read about cataract surgery.

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