Presbyopia

Last updated: Jul 18th, 2025

Presbyopia is a progressive loss of the power of accommodation for near vision. The focusing power of the eyes weakens with age until about age 65 when little or no focusing power remains. It is usually noticed at about age 45, when the eyes cannot accommodate normal reading distances. Large print can be seen, but small print may be difficult or impossible to bring into focus; newspapers may need to be held at arm's length. This is a common condition and simple convex lens reading glasses are used to correct it.