Will myopic people not have presbyopia when they get older? The truth is different from what you think

Author: Ye Junjie, Chief Physician, Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Reviewer: Tang Qin, Deputy Secretary-General and Researcher of the Science Popularization Expert Committee of the Chinese Medical Association

Many people believe that "if you are nearsighted when you are young, you will not have presbyopia when you are old", but this concept is actually incorrect. Presbyopia, or what we ordinary people call "old eyesight", is a normal physiological phenomenon. In fact, whether it is nearsightedness or farsightedness, almost everyone will experience presbyopia as they age. In addition, people with better vision when they are young tend to develop presbyopia earlier and the symptoms will be more obvious.

Presbyopia is a visual problem that gradually appears after entering middle age or old age. Just as hair gradually turns white and skin wrinkles appear, the eyes gradually decline in function as we age. For example, the lens hardens and becomes less elastic; the ciliary muscle function decreases; the eye's accommodation function decreases, resulting in a decrease in the eye's ability to focus. As a result, it causes blurred vision when looking at close objects, often accompanied by an inability to use the eyes for a long time at close range, and the need for stronger lighting for reading.

Presbyopia usually occurs in people over 45 years old, and its occurrence and development are closely related to age, reading habits, and the original refractive error. Usually, the degree of presbyopia increases by 50 degrees every 5 years, and the degree of presbyopia is about 100 degrees at the age of 45; by the age of 60, the degree increases to 250-300 degrees, and gradually stabilizes.

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In addition, some myopic friends think that as they get older, myopia and presbyopia will complement each other and they will not have presbyopia. This concept is also inaccurate. Myopic people originally wore myopic glasses (concave lenses) for correction. When they reach the age of presbyopia, the eye's adjustment power decreases, and the degree of presbyopia offsets part of the degree of myopia (equivalent to adding a convex lens to a concave lens). Therefore, it will appear that it is clearer to take off the glasses to see near objects. For example, if you originally have 100 degrees of myopia, when you reach the age of presbyopia, you will have 100 degrees of presbyopia. You can see clearly without glasses when you use your eyes at close range. At this time, it will give people an illusion that they do not have presbyopia, but in fact it is not the case. For friends with higher myopia, when presbyopia occurs, they often need to prepare two pairs of glasses, one with a lower degree for seeing near objects, and one with a higher degree for seeing distant objects. At present, there are also progressive multifocal lenses, which can solve the problem of seeing far and near with the same pair of lenses.

If you have presbyopia, you should go to a regular hospital ophthalmology department for an eye test in time and wear reading glasses or zoom glasses to prevent complications such as visual fatigue, eye pain, headache, nausea, and even vomiting caused by over-adjustment. Usually, you need to have your eyes tested again every 3 years. In addition, wearing suitable reading glasses can also delay the appearance of premature wrinkles on the forehead.

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In summary, people with myopia will also develop presbyopia when they get older. Although mild myopia may partially offset the effects of presbyopia, people with moderate and severe myopia still need to wear appropriate glasses to correct their vision. Through reasonable management and regular eye examinations, clear and comfortable vision can be ensured. The elderly need to pay attention to eye hygiene in daily life to protect their eyesight and prevent excessive fatigue of eye muscles and vision. Here are some practical suggestions:

(1) Maintain an appropriate distance when reading, newspapers, or watching TV.

(2) Avoid prolonged use of the eyes. After using the eyes for 40 to 50 minutes, take a 5 to 10 minute break. You can close your eyes to relax or perform an eye massage.

(3) Look into the distance regularly to relax the eye muscles and reduce eye fatigue.

(4) Ensure that the light is adequate and soft when reading and watching TV, and avoid strong direct light. Maintain a correct sitting posture, avoid lowering your head or lying down to read, and reduce pressure on your neck and eyes.

(5) Have regular eye examinations to detect and treat eye diseases in a timely manner. If necessary, wear appropriate glasses to avoid eye fatigue caused by blurred vision.

(6) Eat a balanced diet, exercise moderately, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

With these simple and practical suggestions, the elderly can better protect their eyesight and enjoy a clear vision. I hope every elderly friend can have a pair of bright eyes and spend every day in health and happiness!