If you're 40 or older and have noticed it's been getting harder and harder to read small type, you may have a common vision condition called presbyopia. Fortunately, reading or bifocal eyeglasses are not your only option. CooperVision multifocal contact lenses let you see clearly near, far, and everywhere in between.

What is presbyopia?

Presbyopia, Greek for "aging eye," is caused by the natural aging and hardening of the eye's crystalline lens, a transparent body in the front of the eye that serves to focus light rays on the retina. As people reach their 40s, the crystalline lens grows thicker and begins to lose its elasticity. Gradually, the eye muscle control diminishes and people find it increasingly difficult to focus on near objects. Besides blurred vision, signs of presbyopia include eye strain and the tendency to hold reading materials farther away.

What causes presbyopia?

Presbyopia is the normal worsening of vision with age—especially near vision. The condition is a natural part of aging. As you grow older, the lenses in your eyes thicken and lose their elasticity, and the muscles surrounding the lenses weaken. Both these changes decrease your ability to focus, especially on near objects. Putting greater distance between the object and your eye brings the object into focus-for example, holding a book or magazine farther from your face. For this reason, presbyopia is sometimes called "long-arm syndrome."

What are the symptoms?

The main symptom of presbyopia is blurred vision, especially when you do close work or try to focus on near objects. This is worse in dim light or when you are fatigued. Presbyopia can also cause headaches or eyestrain.

How is presbyopia diagnosed?

Presbyopia can usually be diagnosed with a general eye exam.

How is it treated?

Presbyopia can usually be corrected with multifocal contact lenses or glasses.

Will your vision continue to get worse?

Near vision begins to decline due to presbyopia at around the time you enter your 40s. Your eyes continue to lose the ability to accommodate—requiring changes to prescriptions for contact lenses or glasses—until you reach your early 60s. At this point, your vision should stop getting worse.

How do I find a doctor that fits multifocals?

Just click on the "Find a Practitioner" button on the top of the page.