HAVE YOU NOTICED yourself holding your phone at arm’s length in order to see the screen clearly? If so, you might want to get your eyes checked out.

Presbyopia is a very common condition which, in simple terms, is when your eyes find it harder to focus on things up close. It is one of the most common causes of blurry close‑up vision as you get older, and it usually starts to become noticeable for people in their early 40s (though it can onset earlier or later). 

The first thing to understand is that presbyopia is a completely normal consequence of getting older and the effect that ageing has on our eyes. 

If you’re wondering whether you might have presbyopia, consider the following list of symptoms and see if any of them apply to you.

• Close‑up text looks blurry
• You need more light than usual
• You get headaches after reading
• Switching between distances takes longer
• You feel like your eyes get tired more easily

There’s no need to worry if you’ve noticed any of these signs recently, because there are plenty of solutions to presbyopia, and all it will take is a trip to your local Specsavers.

Specsavers has specific tests to check for presbyopia. After an optician asks you about the changes you’ve noticed in your eyesight, you’ll take a quick test where you look into a lens while a small light measures the way it bounces back inside your eye.

The optometrist may follow this up by shining a light into your eye and using a lens to see how your eye bends the light. Lastly, there’ll be a close-up test where you try out different lenses to see which of them helps you make out numbers and letters more clearly. 

If you are diagnosed with presbyopia, you will be prescribed glasses or contact lenses to fit your needs. 

In addition to being 40 or thereabouts, there are other factors that can contribute to presbyopia, including:

• Spending a lot of time doing close‑up work or screen time
• Certain health conditions that can affect the eyes, such as diabetes
• If you are long-sighted, symptoms may show up earlier

While presbyopia is a common condition, it is still worth getting addressed, as its effects can cause major inconvenience in your life. Presbyopia can present in different ways, and if you notice yourself experiencing any of the below, then it’s time to schedule a test for Presbyopia at Specsavers. 

Incipient presbyopia: This is the very early stage of presbyopia. You might not notice big changes yet, but close‑up tasks can start to feel a little harder, especially when you’re tired.

Functional presbyopia: At this stage, your eyes are finding it noticeably harder to focus close‑up. Reading glasses or other vision support will usually help.

Absolute presbyopia: This is when your eyes can no longer focus on anything close‑up without correction. Glasses, lenses, or surgery are needed to restore near vision.

Premature presbyopia: When presbyopia shows up earlier than usual, often before your 40s. It can happen due to health conditions, lots of near work, or genetics.

Nocturnal presbyopia: This is when you notice trouble focusing close‑up, mainly at night or in dim lighting. It’s linked to low light and makes it harder for your eyes to adjust.

Remember to visit Specsavers online to book a consultation or to learn more about what resources are available to you.