If you’re struggling to focus on the small print, you could be seeing the first signs of presbyopia – a change in vision that should be identified by an eyecare expert.

Everyone’s eyesight changes as they get older. Around the age of 40-45, you may notice blurred vision and the need to hold print further away to see properly.

This loss of focusing ability is called presbyopia. It isn’t a disease, but just part of the aging process like stiffening joints and greying hair. The process begins gradually in adolescence and cannot be prevented.

What are the early signs of presbyopia?

• Difficulty seeing fine objects or small print.
• Holding your reading or sewing further away.
• Headaches, tired or sore eyes when concentrating or reading.
• The need to increase lighting to see clearly for close work

If you’ve noticed changes in your vision, you should see an optometrist to check for other, more serious eye conditions that can also develop with age.

An experienced Visique optometrist will prescribe spectacles or contact lenses designed to give you clear and comfortable vision.

A thorough eye check will ensure you get the most suitable corrective lenses,
tailor-made for you. It will also help detect other eye conditions that could lead to permanent vision loss if not treated.

Visique is New Zealand’s largest optometry group with over 100 owner-operated practices nationwide. All Visique optometrists are members of the New Zealand Association of Optometrists, committed to making the best decisions for your eyes.
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Beware ‘hobby glasses’
‘Hobby glasses’ or ready-made spectacles won’t correct your vision perfectly. Global studies show only 30% of people require the same script in both eyes – making hobby glasses inappropriate in most cases. They might help initially, but often fail to give comfortable or relaxed vision, and choosing these over seeing an optometrist will not detect any other problems that may be occurring in the eyes at the same time.