One of the most confusing concepts to understand is the reliance on reading glasses as we age. Why do we need reading glasses as we get older? Why can some people see up close without their glasses when others cannot? If you are already dependent on glasses for reading and/or distance or must use a bifocal to read, then it is important you review the following information, then call us to discuss your questions.

It is an inevitable part of aging that many baby boomers face. The newspaper seems to get farther and farther away as you read it. As we age, the lens of the eye progressively hardens and loses its ability to change shape. This results in the decreased ability to focus on near objects, making reading difficult. This condition is called presbyopia, and its onset is usually noticed in the early- to mid-40s.

Currently, there are several choices when dealing with presbyopia. These included reading glasses, bifocal eyeglasses or bifocal contact lenses. Another option is monovision, where a contact lens is used in one or both eyes, allowing you to use one eye to see far and the other to see close up. Monovision does work well for certain people but also reduces distance vision in the eye being used for near vision.

However, there have been recent developments that may allow some candidates to bypass reading glasses and/or contact lenses.

One of these is a procedure called conductive keratoplasty, or CK. Unlike other procedures, such as IntraLASIK in which a laser is used to reshape the cornea of the eye, CK uses radio waves. It does not require the creation of a flap as in IntraLASIK. In CK, usually one eye (the non-dominant one) is treated to provide significantly improved near vision, with a small sacrifice in distance vision in that eye only. The other eye is maintained for distance.

At Providence Eye & Laser Specialists, we offer all of the above options. Which procedure, if any, is best for you is dependent upon many factors that will be determined at the time of your evaluation. Most of the time, we will be able to simulate your results at the time of your consultation. The best candidates for CK are those who have good distance vision but need reading glasses and are above the age of 40.