The Beginning of Presbyopia: Presbyopia, Not Wrinkles - Professor Lee Hoon of Seoul Asan Medical Center

https://youtu.be/7kHIRXbcE-0?si=zrf7s9B7tSU29lRW

 

If one day you suddenly find it difficult to see objects that are far away or even close, and your eyes get tired easily, you should suspect presbyopia.

 

The eyes are the organ in our body that ages the fastest. As we age, the elasticity of the lens decreases, so the lens cannot thicken when looking at nearby objects and remains elongated.

 

When this happens, the focus becomes blurry and it becomes difficult to see objects that are close by. This is called 'presbyopia'.

 

Some people sometimes confuse presbyopia with cataracts.

 

Presbyopia is a physiological phenomenon that occurs with age and is different from age-related diseases such as cataracts.

 

So what are the differences in the symptoms of presbyopia and cataracts?

 

[Interview with Professor Lee Hoon of the Department of Ophthalmology at Seoul Asan Medical Center]

'Cataract' is a disease in which the lens becomes cloudy and vision becomes foggy, and 'presbyopia' is a condition in which the accommodative function of the lens declines and it becomes difficult to see close up.

 

There are various reasons why the lens becomes cloudy, but the most common cause is known to be aging. There have been many reports of cases where what was initially thought to be simple presbyopia turned out to be serious cataracts. Therefore, avoid self-diagnosis and always visit a hospital for a thorough examination.

 

When presbyopia sets in, many people wear reading glasses.

 

Reading glasses with the appropriate prescription can help preserve some of your near vision and slow the progression of presbyopia.

 

However, when wearing reading glasses, wearing glasses that are adjusted arbitrarily or have excessive prescriptions can actually harm your eye health, so you must consult an ophthalmologist before wearing glasses.

 

So, other than magnifying glasses, are there any surgical treatments for presbyopia?

 

[Interview with Professor Lee Hoon of the Department of Ophthalmology at Seoul Asan Medical Center]

If you have a moderate degree of cataract and presbyopia that can affect your vision, having a multifocal intraocular lens implantation during cataract surgery can be of great help to your presbyopia.

 

Multifocal intraocular lenses are a special lens designed to allow clear vision at far, intermediate, and near distances, making them a popular surgery these days.

 

However, caution is advised when undergoing multifocal IOL implantation in patients with minimal cataracts or already good vision, as satisfaction with the procedure may be reduced. Therefore, if you experience symptoms such as decreased vision, do not self-diagnose but visit a hospital for a thorough examination.

 

Recently, many people are taking nutritional supplements such as lutein to maintain eye health and prevent presbyopia.

 

Taking eye supplements containing lutein or eating vegetables such as carrots, corn, sweet potatoes, spinach, and broccoli can help keep your eyes healthy.

 

However, the most important thing for eye health is to reduce eye fatigue, so looking at a computer or smartphone for long periods of time is not good.

 

Staring at a screen in a dark place for a long time is also a dangerous behavior that promotes presbyopia, and you should never look at your smartphone with the lights off before going to bed.

 

Also, it is recommended to wear sunglasses in the summer when UV rays are strong, and it is also recommended for middle-aged people over 40, as well as those who have had vision correction surgery, even in their 30s.

Regular eye exams are necessary.

 

Presbyopia, the beginning of aging.

It can be delayed with your efforts and regular checkups.