Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a normal age-related process whereby people lose the ability to “pull the image in” to see up close even with satisfactory distance vision. Presbyopia typically happens in the mid-40s to 50s. 

If you have never required glasses, once you become presbyopic you will likely just require simple over-the-counter reading glasses to see up close. Start with +1.50 and work your way up as you get older. Most people need +2.50 when they become 60. 

If you are used to wearing just single vision distance glasses to see in the distance, you will need to switch to “combination glasses” once you become presbyopic, because the prescription for distance and for near is different. Combination glasses include bifocals and progressives. Bifocals have a line; whereas, progressives do not. Anything below the line in a bifocal is set to focus at a particular distance up close. In contrast, progressives have gradually increasing strength as you look closer and closer to the bottom of the lenses. Thus, progressives are more versatile because they allow greater ranger of vision. However, some people are unable to adapt to looking around in the glasses to find the right spot to focus on something at near. In these situations, bifocals are recommended. Either way, adjusting to bifocals and progressives takes time, and your doctor can advise you on what is best for your particular situation.