The Personal and Scientific Realities of Presbyopia
A personal essay in The New Yorker explores the onset of presbyopia, the age-related loss of near vision, through the author's own experience and expert insights. The author, a middle-aged individual, describes struggling to read fine print and eventually visiting an optometrist at a Costco in Washington State, where she learns she has both myopia and presbyopia. The essay details the science of presbyopia, explaining that it results from the lens becoming rigid with age, and notes that it affects nearly everyone over 45. Experts cited include Houmam Araj of the National Eye Institute, Xiaoying Zhu of SUNY College of Optometry, and Dennis Cheng, a Brooklyn optometrist. The piece also covers treatment options such as multifocal contacts, progressive glasses, and eye drops, and mentions that by 2030, 2.1 billion people will have presbyopia. The author reflects on the broader implications of aging, including her own health issues and family changes, and visits the SUNY College of Optometry to learn about ongoing research. The essay concludes with a reflection on the inevitability of aging and the need to adapt.
Key facts
- The author was diagnosed with presbyopia, an age-related condition that typically affects people over 45.
- Presbyopia is caused by the lens of the eye becoming rigid, leading to a loss of accommodation.
- Around 1.8 billion people currently have presbyopia, and this number is expected to rise to 2.1 billion by 2030.
- Treatment options include multifocal contact lenses, progressive glasses, reading glasses, and prescription eye drops like Qlosi and Vuity.
- The National Eye Institute is funding research into reversing lens stiffness, including the use of hyaluronic acid.
- The author's optometrist at a Costco in Washington State confirmed the diagnosis.
- Experts quoted include Houmam Araj, Xiaoying Zhu, and Dennis Cheng.
- The essay describes a visit to the SUNY College of Optometry, where researchers are studying eye diseases and treatments.
- The author notes that presbyopia is a universal part of aging, and that many patients are initially panicked by the condition.
- The essay is a personal reflection on middle age, touching on other health issues and family changes.
Entities
Institutions
- National Eye Institute
- National Institutes of Health
- SUNY College of Optometry
- Costco
Locations
- Washington State
- Brooklyn
- New York City
- Montgomery County, Maryland
- Oregon