Risk Factors That May Contribute to Early Presbyopia

Presbyopia is an age-related loss of near vision that leads many people to turn to reading glasses in their 40’s, 50’s, or 60’s. This condition occurs because the natural lens inside the eye begins to change shape and lose elasticity in a way that makes it difficult to see up close. Everyone is unique and the age at which presbyopia happens will vary between individuals, but most people begin to notice some changes in near vision in their 40’s. Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Presbyopia Go to Source ¹

What is Premature Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is considered to be early or premature when symptoms begin before the age of 40. If you have difficulty with up-close tasks or you find yourself holding your phone or tablet further away from your face, it may be due to presbyopia. It is important to see an eye doctor whenever you notice any changes in vision.

Premature Presbyopia Risk Factors

You may have a higher risk of developing presbyopia before the age of 40 if you have any of these risk factors: Trusted Source Cleveland Clinic Presbyopia Go to Source ²

• A preexisting high level of farsightedness
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Regular use of certain medications such as diuretics, antidepressants, and allergy medications

Do Women Need Reading Glasses Earlier Than Men?

A common myth about presbyopia is that it affects women more often or earlier than men. However, experts say that gender is not a risk factor for premature presbyopia and they believe that this myth exists because women are more likely to be proactive in seeking out treatment for presbyopia. Trusted Source Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care Presbyopia: Overview Go to Source ³
Get the Facts: Learn the Truth About Four Common Presbyopia Myths

Learn More About Presbyopia

Age is the universal risk factor for presbyopia, but knowledge is power. Knowing what to expect from age-related vision changes can help you stay in control of your eye health. At Presbyopia Life, our team consists of ophthalmologists and optometrists who are highly experienced in diagnosing and treating presbyopia and other eye conditions. Read their answers to the Top 10 Presbyopia Questions to learn more.

 Sources

¹ Mayo Clinic. Presbyopia. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/presbyopia/symptoms-causes/syc-20363328 Accessed August 5, 2021
² Cleveland Clinic. Presbyopia. Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8577-presbyopia Accessed August 5, 2021
³ InformedHealth.org. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Presbyopia: Overview. [Updated 2020 Jun 4]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK423833/