Dinner Killer: Presbyopia
It is nothing to be ashamed of, but many older Americans are too embarrassed to don a pair of reading glasses to read the menu. The awkward alternative is not bother with the menu and order from the hip -- which necessitates countless rounds between the ashamed party and the waiter. The simple facts are as we age, so too do our eyes. Like gray hair or wrinkles, presbyopia is inevitable.
As the focusing mechanism of the eye degenerates, object within a few feet of the person become harder to focus on. Reading the fine print becomes nearly impossible with presbyopia and soon even the fork and knife or plate is blurred. Most people first notice blurred vision at close range between the ages of 40 and 50.
The effects of presbyopia are more noticeable in dim conditions. The popular example involves fumbling for a pair of reading glasses in a posh restaurant. The effects are less noticeable in bright sunlight. In bright sunlight, the iris contracts to a smaller diameter, thereby increasing the focal ratio of the lens and reducing blurred vision.
No, your arms are not too short; your eyes are getting old. But there is no need to run and hide or memorize the menu beforehand. The condition can be corrected, though not cured, by the use of corrective glasses or contacts. Bi-focal glasses and multi-focus contacts can make that cozy dinner painless and awkward-free.
Never fear, the solutions abound and you need never feel ashamed. Presbyopia is not a disease, any more than aging is a disease. The first onset of eyestrain and blurred vision seems to occur in professions that require careful scrutiny of text or monitors. So, if you are a bookworm or an academic, chances are you will be seeking relief sooner than someone who is a lumber or construction worker.
About the Author
The effects of presbyopia are insidious and ultimately awkward. The solutions, on the other hand, are simple and straightforward. Of the possible presbyopia solutions available to most people, glasses and contacts are the most popular.
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