By Mr Aris Konstantopoulos, Consultant Ophthalmologist & Corneal Specialist

If you’re over 40 and noticing that reading a menu or checking your phone requires a bit more squinting, or perhaps holding things at arm’s length, it’s likely you’re experiencing presbyopia.

This isn’t something to be alarmed about. It’s a completely normal and natural development of the eye’s ageing process. But just because it’s natural or unavoidable, doesn’t mean it’s not frustrating. As someone who treats this condition every day, I want to share what presbyopia really is, why it happens, and what you can do about it.

What is Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is the gradual loss of your eyes’ ability to focus on nearby objects. It typically becomes noticeable in your early to mid-40s and continues to progress until around age 60. If you have a hypermetropic prescription (long-sightedness) for glasses, then the difficulty with near vision tends to start at an earlier age.

It happens because the lens inside your eye becomes less elastic and flexible over time. When you’re younger, the lens can easily change shape to focus on things up close; similar to how the lens of a camera focuses at different distances. But as we age, the lens stiffens and becomes sluggish in changing shape, making near vision more difficult.

This isn’t caused by poor eye health. It’s a natural, age-related change that happens to everyone, even those who’ve never had vision issues before.

Symptoms of Presbyopia

You might be developing presbyopia if you:

Find yourself holding reading material further away to see it clearly
Experience eyestrain or headaches after reading or close-up work
Notice that small text appears blurry, especially in low light
Need brighter lighting for tasks such as sewing, reading, or using your phone
Find it slow or difficult to re-focus from distance objects to near tasks or vice versa

These changes can appear gradually, making them easy to overlook until they start interfering with your daily life.

Is It the Same as Long-Sightedness?

Not exactly. Although both involve difficulty seeing things up close, long-sightedness (hyperopia or hypermetropia) is usually caused by an imbalance between the refractive powers of the cornea and the lens of your eye; typically, it develops at a much younger age if not in childhood. Presbyopia, on the other hand, develops above the age of 40 years and affects the flexibility of the eye’s natural lens.

Some people can have both conditions which actually accelerates the symptoms of presbyopia to a younger age. That’s why a proper eye assessment is key to identifying what’s really going on.

What Are the Treatment Options?

There are several ways to manage presbyopia, depending on your needs, lifestyle, and preferences:

1. Reading Glasses

These are the simplest and most common solution. You can buy them off-the-shelf if you do not have other refractive errors, such as astigmatism, or get custom prescription ones from your optometrist; these tend to be of better quality.

2. Varifocal Glasses or Multifocal Contact Lenses

These offer a smooth transition between near and distance vision, which can be more convenient than taking distance and near glasses on and off. They are particularly helpful if there is a requirement for distance glasses or contact lenses to correct for short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism.

3. PRESBYOND Laser Blended Vision

Modern laser techniques like PRESBYOND LASIK blend your near, intermediate and distance vision by subtly reshaping the cornea of each eye for a broader range of focus. It’s a game-changer for many of our patients over 40 who want a glasses-free lifestyle. It is an evolution of traditional LASIK that has been in practice for more than 30 years and is available in selected refractive clinics.

PRESBYOND is tailored to your eye measurements and daily habits, offering a more seamless visual experience across multiple distances. Learn more about how PRESBYOND works and whether it could be right for you.

4. Lens Replacement Surgery

Also known as Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), this involves replacing your natural lens with a high-performance intraocular lens (IOL) that corrects distance, intermediate and near vision.

This is especially suitable for patients over the age of 55 years or with early signs of cataract or who aren’t good candidates for laser surgery.

My Advice to You

Presbyopia may be inevitable, but living with the daily inconvenience of blurry close-up vision doesn’t have to be.

When I meet with patients, we take a personalised approach to understand their lifestyle and visual needs, whether that’s working on multiple screens or in visually demanding environments, enjoying outdoor hobbies or simply reading to their children or grandchildren.

If you’re noticing difficulty with your near vision don’t struggle unnecessarily, there are many solutions. A comprehensive consultation can give you answers and options.

It’s also a good idea to see your local optometrist for regular eye checks. Optometrists play a key role in identifying presbyopia and other age-related health changes early on, and can guide you through your first steps in managing them.

Book a Screening

We offer free, no-obligation suitability screenings at ClarisVision to help you understand whether PRESBYOND, laser eye surgery, or lens replacement surgery is right for you.

If you’d like to explore more about vision correction procedures, browse our blogs:

📍 Visit clarisvision.co.uk or call 02381 812281 to book your appointment today.

Because your 40s should be about clarity, not compromise.

What We Really Offer

When patients choose laser eye surgery, they often think they are investing in convenience. What they gain is so much more. It’s clarity, yes and also emotional ease, presence and confidence.

That’s why I also make sure patients understand the full picture. For a balanced view of possible side effects, visit Understanding the Risks and Side Effects of Laser Eye Surgery. Informed decisions build trust and confidence begins there too.

Choosing the Right Surgeon

At ClarisVision, our procedures are personally carried out by myself. I am a consultant ophthalmologist who specialises in laser eye surgery, lens replacement surgery and corneal surgery. We prioritise precision, safety, and personal care at every step.

When choosing a clinic, we recommend checking the surgeon’s credentials, including:

Fellowship of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth)
Inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register for Ophthalmology
Subspecialty Fellowship level training in corneal and/or refractive surgery
Proven track record in performing a range of vision correction procedures

Why Choose ClarisVision?

When it comes to your eyes, you want care that’s not only expert, but personal.

At ClarisVision, we provide:

👁️ Care led by Consultant Ophthalmologist and Corneal Specialist, Mr. Aris Konstantopoulos
🧬 Advanced diagnostics and laser technology for superior precision
🫶 A personalised approach to your vision correction
🌍 A warm, patient-first experience trusted by hundreds in the UK

We’re more than a clinic – we’re your partner in clear vision for life.

Start now with a free, no-obligation suitability screening.

Real Stories, Real Impact

“Aris has treated members of my family who want to be free from glasses. Everyone is very happy with the results.”
— Liz, 41, Teacher

“Aris and his staff were excellent. I was nervous on the day of the surgery but they were all so kind and reassuring. I cannot recommend him and his team enough!”
— Jenny, 38, Architectural Technician

Read more about what our patients had to say about their experience.

News

Presbyopia Explained: Why Your Vision Changes Around 40 (and What to Do)