Presbyopia (lao-hua / 老花)

The natural lens of the eye helps to focus light rays onto the central fixation point (macula) of the eye. In a young person, the lens is flexible and changes shape as it adjusts automatically for near and far distances. A young eye is like a camera with a very fast and accurate auto-focus function!

With increasing age, the natural lens gradually loses its flexibility. This means that the “auto-focus” function of the eye gradually slows down and eventually stops working. It becomes more difficult to focus on near objects as we age.

This condition is presbyopia (lao-hua / 老花). Presbyopia in Singapore is a natural part of ageing and happens to everyone, usually after the age of 40 years. As reading at near becomes more difficult, reading glasses (bifocal glasses or progressive glasses) will start to become necessary for comfortable near viewing.

Presbyopia (together with astigmatism, myopia or hyperopia) can be corrected by modern cataract surgery in which the cataractous lens is replaced by advanced technology lens implants.