Protecting Your Eyes

Your eye health is important, and as you grow older, the eyes begin to weaken. Many people 40 or over start to notice a decline in eyesight in dim light or when reading small print.

Presbyopia is when your eyes change as you age and need to wear reading glasses. If you suspect you have presbyopia, it's best to see your local optometrists for diagnosis, as other reasons cause changes in eyesight.

To learn more about presbyopia and how your optometrist can help, read on.

What Are the Eye Conditions That Optometrists Treat?

Optometrists aren't doctors, but they are eye care professionals trained to diagnose and treat presbyopia and other common eye conditions, including:

• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Color blindness
• Myopia
• Retinal issues

While optometrists don't attend medical school, they do obtain a 4-year bachelor's degree for the title of doctor of optometry.

How Do Optometrists Diagnose Presbyopia?

Presbyopia eventually affects everyone as they age. Around the age of 40 or so,  you may notice reading materials or labels look blurry close-up.

An optometrist conducts a basic eye exam to determine if a person has presbyopia. The eye doctor conducts various tests and dilates the pupils to get a better idea of your overall eye health.

From this exam, the doctor may find that you are farsighted or nearsighted and/or have presbyopia or astigmatism.

How Do Optometrists Treat Presbyopia?

In most cases, doctors don't offer a prescription lens if you only need readers. You can buy over-the-counter readers with various strengths, and the optometrist tells you which strength you require.

However, if the OTC readers aren't strong enough or don't help, your optometrist offers prescription lenses. If your vision is blurry after wearing OTC readers, the readers aren't adequately adjusting for your needs.

An optometrist might recommend prescription readers if you have issues with glasses not fitting properly. Proper fit is important to ensure your glasses are doing their job.

How Often Should You Schedule an Optometrist Visit?

The frequency of eye exams depends on different factors and age. However, those with diabetes or other health concerns require yearly visits.

The older you get, the more you'll need optometrist services for eye health checkups. You can discuss this with your eye doctor to ensure your eyes are getting the care they require.

Optometrists aren't medical doctors, but they are trained to diagnose and treat very common eye issues. It's essential to follow your eye doctor's advice and get checkups when required.