The lack of interest in reading after the age of 45 or 50 may be hiding a vision problem: presbyopia or “tired eyes”
Patients are seeking greater independence from glasses, both for reading and to adapt to today’s lifestyle, which involves frequent screen use and an increasingly active maturity
Presbyopia, commonly known as “tired eyes,” is a vision problem that typically appears between the ages of 45 and 50 and eventually affects everyone. It causes difficulty focusing on nearby objects. According to Miranza specialists, “reading is often one of the first activities where the loss of focus in the crystalline lens becomes noticeable. This natural lens of the eye ages over time and gradually loses its elasticity.”
Struggling to read small print, holding a book at arm’s length, needing more light, feeling that your eyes tire more quickly, or even experiencing headaches are some of the signs linked to the onset of presbyopia. These symptoms help explain the lack of interest or even rejection of reading as we age.
Generation X and the Boom of “No-Glasses” Lenses
The limitations on everyday activities are what drive many patients to seek a solution that doesn’t involve relying on glasses, especially considering that today’s Generation X (active professionals, frequent travelers, athletes…) leads a dynamic and digitally connected lifestyle, where presbyopia becomes an obstacle to daily independence.
“In our clinics, we’re seeing a clear increase in demand for presbyopia surgery or lens replacement surgery, which offers patients the possibility of correcting this issue permanently. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this is not a one-size-fits-all surgery, it must be personalized,” explains Dr. Jaime Aramberri.
“En nuestras consultas estamos viendo un claro aumento de la demanda de la cirugía para la presbicia o cirugía del cristalino, que ofrece a los pacientes la posibilidad de corregir este problema de manera definitiva. Sin embargo, hay que tener en cuenta que esto no es una cirugía para todo el mundo; hay que personalizarla”, explican el Dr. Jaime Aramberri.
Lens Replacement Surgery: The Only Definitive Solution for Presbyopia
This personalization relies on a thorough preoperative assessment, which is key to determining the right time to treat presbyopia in each individual and what type of intraocular lens to implant in the eye to replace the aging crystalline lens. As Dr. Rebeca Atienza explains, “when we talk about ‘no-glasses’ lenses, we’re referring to multifocal lenses, which allow for clear vision at all distances. Despite this major advantage, they’re not always the best option for every patient—some may benefit more from other alternatives, such as extended depth-of-focus lenses, which are optimized, for example, for computer work distance.”
A Growing Trend
Innovation in intraocular lenses is not only driving the boom in presbyopia surgery but also encouraging earlier cataract surgeries, since cataracts also affect the eye’s crystalline lens (which becomes cloudy with age) and are treated using the same procedure.
“In conventional cataract surgery, monofocal intraocular lenses are implanted, allowing good distance vision but still requiring glasses for other distances. In contrast, with the new ‘premium’ intraocular lens models, patients not only solve their cataract issues but also regain youthful vision with maximum independence from glasses. This, combined with the high safety of the procedure and its quick recovery time, is leading many people to no longer want to wait for surgery,” our specialists point out.
Solutions for Younger Patients
Regarding younger patients, it’s also worth highlighting the rise of refractive surgery to free themselves from glasses and correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. “We generally recommend surgery starting at age 21 or once the prescription has stabilized. Additionally, having a high prescription is no longer a limiting factor, since for cases where laser techniques cannot be applied, we have other types of intraocular lenses that do not require replacing the (still young) crystalline lens and provide excellent results,” emphasizes Dr. Aramberri.
Is the child unable to read or is their vision impaired?
During childhood, while vision is still developing, the key is to ensure proper monitoring to adjust optical correction as children grow. An uncorrected or undetected refractive error can lead to vision loss (“lazy eye”) that cannot be recovered in adulthood. Because children rarely complain about blurry vision, it is essential to watch for warning signs such as rejection or disinterest in reading.
“Often, parents think their children simply don’t like reading or have poor reading skills, when in reality, the issue is that they cannot see well due to problems like hyperopia,” conclude the pediatric ophthalmologists at Miranza. They also remind us of the importance of regular eye check-ups, especially if the parents currently wear or have worn glasses.
