Cataracts and Presbyopia

Conditions of the Ageing Eye

As we grow older, our bodies mature and change naturally. Within the ageing eye, these changes often develop into conditions that impact the quality of your vision. But if you're experiencing age-related visual problems, don't give up – with successful treatment, it may be possible to have clearer, brighter and sharper vision than you've had for a long, long time.

Some common problems with ageing eyes:

Presbyopia – As people enter their 40s, they may experience blurred vision when performing everyday "close-up" tasks such as reading, sewing or working at the computer. This condition, called presbyopia, occurs as the lens in the eye becomes less flexible, and the muscles controlling the lens weaken. This is why some people need reading glasses or need to hold objects farther away to see them.
Cataracts – A cataract is a change in the clarity, or a "clouding," of the lens in your eye. Your crystalline lens
Crystalline lens: Structure inside the eye that help to bring rays of light to a focus on the retina.
, which is made mostly of protein and water, can become clouded enough to prevent light and images from reaching the retina. A cataract can be the reason sharp images become blurred and seeing things at night becomes more difficult. For more on cataract treatment, read about cataract surgery.