While the clear remedy for alleviating tired eyes is a good night’s rest, things like giving your eyes a break from screens and using an updated vision prescription can also offer relief. For all of you struggling to keep your eyes open, here are some tips to give your peepers some pep and rejuvenate your tired eyes.

1. Minimize Your Allergy Symptoms

Anyone who suffers from allergies knows they can turn your eyes into an itchy, watery mess. The reaction is caused by histamine, which is released when triggered by your individual allergen sensitivity. Histamine signals the dilation of blood vessels and sparks unforgiving itchiness in your nose and eyes that allergy sufferers know all too well.

The increased blood flow and itchiness caused by allergies result in swelling, which can leave your eyes looking puffy and fatigued. If you believe allergies are causing your eyes to look and feel tired, try taking an over-the-counter or prescription antihistamine to reduce your eye allergy symptoms.

For those with severe symptoms, try avoiding potential triggers during allergy season, such as working in the yard and opening windows in your home.

2. Give Your Eyes A Break From Screens

While technological and digital advancements have offered many benefits, the prevalence of screen use has taken a toll on our eyes. Incorporating both short and long breaks into your screen time can help relieve the symptoms of digital eye strain, such as dry and tired eyes.

The 20-20-20 rule is great for mini-breaks. Every 20 minutes of screen time, look up and stare at something 20 feet away from you (preferably not another screen) for 20 seconds. This 20-second pause gives the tiny muscles in your eyes a well-deserved rest.

Longer intervals where you get up and step away from your screen should be incorporated as well. Use each break as an opportunity to close your eyes while you stretch your legs, neck, and back. This will give your eyes a little power nap before they get back to staring at the screen.

SEE RELATED: What are blue light reading glasses?

3. Alternate Warm And Cool Compresses

Who knew tired eyes and a sprained ankle could benefit from the same treatment? Alternating warm and cool compresses doesn’t just help the appearance of tired eyes, it’s relaxing and allows you to pamper yourself.

The heat from a warm compress relaxes strained and exhausted eye muscles, which makes tired eyes feel better. The chill of a cool compress increases blood flow to the eyes and reduces puffiness and swelling, which makes eyes appear more alert and awake.

While alternating warm and cool compresses is easy and effective for helping tired eyes, it’s only a temporary solution. You should try to pinpoint the underlying cause of your tired eyes and work toward a more permanent remedy.

4. Keep Your Eyes Hydrated

Dryness could be the culprit behind your drowsy-looking eyes. Dry eyes can happen on account of many things, including your diet, age, and the medications you take — all of which can make it difficult for your eyes to stay hydrated.

If you find that your eyes feel dry, the first thing you can try is to blink more, especially during screen time. Blinking is the eye’s natural way of keeping moist and clean, so blinking more frequently may help.

If blinking doesn’t do the trick, artificial tears can be a great source of relief and help your eyes look clearer and brighter. Not sure which eye drops will work best for you? Ask your eye doctor which brands they recommend and work from there.

Drinking plenty of water is a sure-fire way to hydrate your body and your eyes. Typically, when you’re dehydrated, the first place it’s shown is your eyes and your skin by reflecting a dull, exhausted appearance. Increasing your water intake not only improves your eyes, it improves your overall health.

5. Make Sure Your Prescription Is Up To Date

If it’s been a while since your last eye exam, there’s a good chance that an outdated prescription is making your eyes look and feel tired. For most people, vision changes over time — a three-year-old prescription may not work for your current corrective needs and, in turn, is straining your eyes.

It’s recommended that unless you have an underlying condition that requires more attention, you have a comprehensive eye exam every two years. An eye care professional will be able to evaluate your tired eyes and find a solution, either with an updated vision prescription or other recommendations.

If you haven’t needed glasses before, it’s possible your vision has changed — your eyes feel tired now because they need corrective lenses to see properly. The only way to find out is by scheduling a visit with an eye doctor.

TIME TO UPDATE YOUR VISION Rx? Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you.

If you wear glasses, this can be tricky, since glasses are worn on your face and you typically handle them with your hands. But don’t worry; the information below will give you a polished understanding of how to keep your glasses and your eyes clean during this global pandemic.

How Do You Keep Bacteria From Getting in Your Eyes?

In order to keep bacteria from getting into and affecting your eyes, you must keep your hands clean by washing them frequently. Hands and fingers carry more bacteria than any other place on the body, which is why touching your face is such a threat. If you must touch your eyes for any reason, it’s critical that your hands are thoroughly washed first.

Bacterial and viral eye infections can also be prevented by keeping your distance from individuals who are showing signs of an eye infection. Maintaining a safe distance from friends and family who are ill can help lower the number of infectious germs that are spread.

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) and other bacterial infections are the most common to affect your eyes. Treatment for conjunctivitis depends on what kind you have, such as bacterial or allergic. Prescription ointments, eye drops, and allergy medications are often prescribed and are typically very effective in clearing symptoms quickly.

It’s also possible to get a viral strain of conjunctivitis. While antiviral or steroid eye drops may be needed in severe cases, viral eye infections normally resolve on their own.

Preventing infection is almost always more effective than treating it, so washing your hands is of the utmost importance. Ensuring your hands and fingers are clean is the best way to keep from spreading germs.

How to Properly Wash Your Hands Before Handling Eyeglasses

Washing your hands every time you do something as routine as handling your glasses can seem tedious.

But think about how many times you touch your glasses throughout the day: to push your glasses up when they slide down your face, to take your glasses off to clean the lenses or to remove your reading glasses when not in use. Whether you are a glasses wearer or not, hand-washing is essential when practicing diligent personal hygiene.

There is no “incorrect” method to washing your hands, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend these steps for the most effective hand-washing:

1. Turn water on at a conservative pressure — enough to rinse your hands, but not enough to waste.
2. Apply soap to hands and rub them together, creating a lather. Don’t forget between your fingers, under your nails and the backs of your hands.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need help keeping time? Try singing the 20-second chorus from one of these well-known songs while washing your hands.
   – “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi
   – “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees
   – “Jolene” by Dolly Parton
   – “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac
   – “Happy Birthday” (twice)
4. Thoroughly rinse your hands with clean water.
5. Use a clean towel to dry your hands and turn off the tap using a towel or your elbow.

How Do I Clean and Disinfect My Glasses?

If your glasses become contaminated or dirty (which can happen from a variety of sources) having clean hands won’t be much help against an eye infection. Cleaning your glasses regularly is a great way to maintain best hygiene practices and preventing any bacteria from getting near your eyes.

Cleaning Your Glasses

Once your hands have been washed, take your glasses off and run them under a low-pressure stream of lukewarm water. This will remove any debris or dust that has collected on the lenses and frames.

Apply a small drop of dish soap to each lens. The soap should be free of any lotions to avoid leaving streaks. Gently massage the soap on both sides of the lenses and the entire frames, reaching all the nooks and crannies.

After sudsing your glasses for a minute or so, rinse them under the water. Examine the hinges and lip where the lenses meet the frames to make sure no soap residue is left. Remove excess water by gently shaking your glasses then dry them off with a clean, lint-free towel.

In this time of social distancing, self-isolation and, for some, quarantine, using the recommendations above will leave your eyes — and your overall health — in tip-top shape.

At the government’s request, people are spending a lot more time indoors, which inevitably means our eyes will be glued to phones, computers, and TVs. Over time, this fixation can affect our mental and physical health, not to mention the well-being of our eyes.

Practicing some “eye hacks” to relieve stress can keep your eyes more comfortable while you’re cooped up at home. Here are a few of our favorites!

Don’t Overwork Your Eyes

It’s tough out there for eyeballs right now. An increase in screen time plus a decrease in natural light equals extra strain on eyes, no matter your age.

Digital Eye Strain, also referred to as Computer Vision Syndrome, is caused by excess time spent in front of a screen. Although symptoms are only temporary, they can be uncomfortable, inconvenient and even painful.

Taking steps to prevent Digital Eye Strain before it hits could significantly lessen the dry eyes, blurry vision and headaches that are commonly associated with the condition.

The 20-20-20 rule is a tactic that is widely used to avoid Digital Eye Strain symptoms. Its popularity stems from its simplicity:

Every 20 minutes, look up from your screen and focus on an item approximately 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

Focusing on an item in the distance allows the muscles in the eye to relax after being subjected to prolonged screen time.

Kids can experience eye strain too, so establishing the 20-20-20 rule for them during video game play or tablet use can help prepare them for a lifetime of screen use.

In addition to 20-second breaks, taking longer periods of time away from screens is great for resting your mind and your eyes. If you’ve been in front of a screen for a while, step away to read a book or work on a jigsaw puzzle. You’d be amazed at how much of a difference five or 10 minutes can make.

Try Out Different Glasses

Computer glasses, also called blue light glasses, have become a popular method for filtering blue light*.

The glasses target and filter high-energy visible (HEV) light, which is projected by nearly all digital screens. Blue-light-filtering lenses have a slightly yellow tint that counters blue light and curtails the discomfort and potential damage it can cause your eyes.

Not only that, but filtering blue light at nighttime can help regulate or improve your sleep cycles since the brain often interprets screen light as sunlight.

Many phones and computers have a setting that warms the display, further helping you achieve a good night’s rest. Learn more about the benefits of computer glasses.

Shop Blue Light Glasses ›

Consider Your Eyes When Grocery Shopping

For many, the idea of stores being wiped out of common groceries can feel strange, inconvenient, and even scary. Being able to purchase all the items on your grocery list has now become a challenge, as supermarkets across the world are experiencing temporary shortages in everyday items.

But this doesn’t mean a healthy diet should be put on the back burner. What you eat contributes heavily to your eye health and many other aspects of your overall physical health.

So don’t fret when you see carrots are out of stock; there are other eye-friendly grocery items that will get the job done.

Carrots rich in vitamin A are the poster children for eye-healthy foods, and for good reason. But if carrots aren’t available, butternut squash, red bell peppers, broccoli, sweet potatoes, and spinach are also chock-full of this vision-booster.

Zinc allows your body to absorb more vitamin A, making them the perfect pair. Zinc also kicks up your immune system’s efficiency, which comes in handy during a global pandemic. Look for meat, shellfish, beans, and nuts to increase your zinc intake.

It’s easy to turn to comfort food like potatoes and macaroni and cheese during times like these, and that’s OK. Just be sure to also incorporate some of these foods to give your eyes a little TLC:

• Antioxidant-rich foods: Artichokes, blueberries and dark chocolate with high cacao (or cocoa) content.
• Omega-3-rich foods: Focus on food with EPA and DHA, like salmon, mackerel, herring, and tuna. Vegetarians can benefit from flax seeds or flaxseed oil, but these lack the EPA and DHA of fish.
• Vitamin E-rich foods: Spinach, nuts (especially almonds and hazelnuts) and whole-grain cereal.

Our Eyes’ Relation to COVID-19

It’s been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that the coronavirus can be transmitted through the eyes. This explains why so many images show health care professionals wearing protective goggles or face shields along with their facemasks.

Although eye transmission is not the most common culprit for spreading the disease (respiratory droplet inhalation and close person-to-person contact are the top methods), the importance of keeping your hands away from your face cannot be understated. This is especially important in regard to your eyes, nose, and mouth.

So if you typically wear glasses, you may unknowingly be arming yourself with an added shield of defense!

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) explains that a pair of glasses may guard your eyes from respiratory droplets. While eyeglasses and sunglasses don’t offer the same level of protection as a pair of goggles, the large surface area of the lens can block the virus from reaching your eyes.

With this in mind, it’s crucial for eyeglasses to be cleaned often. Those who wear glasses will frequently handle their frames, which increases the risk of transferring germs on your hands to the glasses that rest on your face.

The AAO also suggests that those who normally wear contact lenses should switch to glasses for the time being. Contact-wearers typically touch their eyes more often because of the increased irritation of contacts.

There’s evidence that conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, can be a less common sign of COVID-19. Symptoms associated with conjunctivitis are redness, itchiness, discharge, irritation, and crustiness of the eyes. A study of COVID-19 patients in China reported that nine out of 1,099 patients (0.8%) had pink eye as a symptom.

Stay Healthy, Vigilant, And Positive

Understandably, being stuck at home by yourself can feel frustrating. However, social distancing and self-isolation are the best and most effective methods to limit the spread of illness.

Use this time of solitude to check in with yourself, assess your well-being, and practice good habits, especially dealing with your health. Being mindful of your eyes in today’s screen-heavy culture can contribute to vision comfort now and in the future.

Start practicing healthy habits now — it’s possible they’ll stick around even after the days of isolation are over.

Shop Blue Light Glasses ›

As you age, your relationship with your body is going to change: Your joints will creak, your memory will fade and you may find yourself turning to reading glasses when you’re curling up with a good book.

How does age affect your vision? What visual condition is leading you to have readers in your car, in your office drawer and various places around your house?

Let’s take a look:

Vision Changes with Age: What’s Normal?

Common age-related vision changes include blurry vision, night blindness, and loss of the ability to focus on near objects. You may also develop tunnel vision or experience central vision loss.

In many cases, corrective lenses, medication and/or surgery can help restore your quality of life.

Aging Eyes and Common Vision Problems

↓ Click infographic to enlarge ↓

Presbyopia (age-related farsightedness): One of the most common signs of aging is it gets harder to focus on near objects. For example, you may have trouble reading a menu or text messages on your phone. If you don’t already need vision correction, a pair of non-prescription reading glasses might be just what you need. The key is finding your reading glasses power.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): The macula is the part of the retina that’s responsible for your visual acuity (your ability to see clearly, drive, read, and even recognize faces). AMD is the top cause of central vision loss among older adults and can be diagnosed as wet (neovascular) or dry (non-neovascular).

Cataracts: Cataracts — the world’s leading cause of blindness — are the clouding of the eye’s lens. Symptoms include blurred vision and increased glare (which makes it difficult to drive at night). There are three types of cataracts: subcapsular, cortical, and nuclear. Nuclear cataracts are most closely linked with aging.

Glaucoma: This eye condition, caused by excess pressure inside the eye, is characterized by damage to the optic nerve and can lead to peripheral vision loss and blindness. Because there are no warning signs for glaucoma — and vision lost from the condition cannot be restored —, it’s important to get regular eye exams to try to catch it early. This is especially true if you have a family history of glaucoma or any other risk factors for it.

If you experience any changes in vision, including any of the symptoms listed of age-related vision conditions above, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor right away. After a comprehensive eye exam, you’ll have a better idea of what steps need to be taken (if any) and, if necessary, your doctor can refer you to a specialist for additional testing and care.

Can Eyesight Improve with Age?

If you feel like your eyesight is improving as you get older, it’s possible you’re just noticing that your vision has stabilized. However, if it really is improving, that may not be a good thing. Some improvements may actually be warning signs that worsening vision is on the way.

For example, one symptom of cataracts is “second sight,” in which your near vision can temporarily improve. But as cataracts develop, and your lenses cloud over, that improvement will vanish and it will become even more difficult for you to see.

The good news, at least about cataracts, is that it’s not all bad news. Cataract surgery is extremely common, safe and effective, and provides good chances of restoring any vision you may have lost to the condition.

Is Nearsightedness Affected by Age?

Those who deal with nearsightedness (myopia) in their youth typically experience a stabilization of their vision in their 20s, and from there, it’s possible for their myopia to worsen or, less commonly, for it to get a bit better. This is not to say that you will no longer be nearsighted, just that your prescription might change.

And there will probably come a time when you’re both near- and farsighted: Age-related farsightedness (presbyopia) is a common development for people over 40, so if (and when) it hits you, you may want to keep your reading glasses handy. Glasses with progressive lenses are another (albeit pricier) option.

If you’re having trouble reading the fine print, consider getting a pair of readers. With frames for every face shape and lenses to suit the sun or the screen, you’re sure to find the perfect pair.

SEE RELATED: Guide to Buying Reading Glasses

Luckily, you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). An FSA is a pre-taxed savings account provided by your employer. The plan is supplementary to healthcare insurance and allows you to deposit money into the account to be used on eligible medical expenses, including eye care.

You can save an average of 30% on any approved vision-related expenses. Here’s how to keep yourself seeing well and looking great while saving money.

↓ Click to enlarge infographic ↓

What is an eligible FSA expense?

Most FSA plans cover out-of-pocket expenses not eligible or covered by healthcare insurance. This includes eye exams, vision supplies, office visit copays and wearable vision products for both you and your family.

Coverage, however, may differ by FSA plan, so check with your employer for a complete list of approved services and items.

Here is a list of the most common eligible vision-related products:

Reading Glasses

If you’re the type of person who needs readers, you’ll be glad to know reading glasses are FSA-eligible. This includes frames and custom lenses, as well as accessories. You can also purchase over-the-counter reading glasses without a prescription at your local drug store or online.

Prescription Eyeglasses

The general rule of thumb is if you have a prescription from an eye doctor then it is FSA-eligible. This includes frames in a variety of shapes, sizes, styles and various lens types. You can also add anti-glare and scratch-resistant coatings to your lenses, both are covered. Specialty lenses are also considered an approved expense, which means scuba masks and sports and safety goggles with prescription lenses can be purchased with your FSA dollars.

Prescription Sunglasses

Many people don’t realize that prescription sunglass lenses are FSA-eligible items. This includes photochromic, polarized, and mirrored lenses. But, you must have a prescription or a doctor’s note for your plan to consider sunglasses as an FSA-approved expense. Most over-the-counter non-prescription pairs are not covered.

Contact Lenses and Care

Wearing glasses all day isn’t for everyone. If you are more of a contact lens wearer, then you know contacts and contact solution costs can add up.

Good news is both are eligible FSA expenses. And, you have a variety of contact lenses to choose from to find the most comfortable fit for your eyes. Approved items include toric, multifocal, bifocal, and disposable lenses.

Annual Eye Exams

Everyone should get an annual eye exam, even if you think your vision is perfect. Eye exams help catch any potential issues you may have with your vision or eye health. Optometrists can even check the health of the blood vessels in your eye, which can be a warning sign of bigger health issues in your body. Locate an optometrist near you and use your FSA to pay for the exam.

Additionally, your FSA plan covers eye care accessories and services such as LASIK. Check with your plan’s provider or your employer’s benefits coordinator for a complete list of FSA-approved items.

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The good news is your FSA is easy to use and can help you get that much-needed eye exam or that new pair of reading glasses for work. The bad news is that you need to make sure to redeem all of your funds by the end of the calendar year or you will lose them. So, let’s get to spending, shall we?

↓ Click to enlarge infographic ↓

What can you get with your FSA?

You can use your FSA funds to pay for eligible out-of-pocket healthcare costs, which include vision care products and services. Eye doctor visits, copays, and eye exams are all covered. Reading glasses and accessories contact lenses; and prescription glasses and sunglasses are also considered eligible expenses. Even LASIK surgery is on the list. For a complete list of FSA-approved services and products, contact your plan provider.

How can I pay for eligible expenses?

Most providers give members an FSA card to pay for eligible products and services. Once the card is activated, you use it the same way you would a bank-issued credit or debit card. Transactions are instantly verified. Most drugstores even have a system in place that filters out non-eligible expenses so you can pay for your eligible expenses in the same transaction as non-eligible items. Plus, you can also use your card to pay a copay at an eye doctor’s office and for eligible online purchases, including reading glasses and accessories.

Don’t forget to save the receipt, though. FSA cards may make managing your purchases and funds easier, but your employer may still request that you submit a paper receipt for a purchase.

How do I get reimbursed?

While the FSA card is far and away the easiest way to pay for eligible expenses, it’s also not the only option. You can also pay for expenses out of your own pocket and submit receipts for reimbursement. Sometimes, this is necessary when a store or website doesn’t accept FSA cards or if your provider doesn’t offer them (Yes! Readers.com accepts FSA cards as payment).

Most FSA providers make the reimbursement process relatively pain-free. If you have access to a computer and a smartphone, simply follow the provider’s instructions for logging onto their online FSA platform.

There, you will see a section or a button prompting you to file a new claim. Each system varies, but they will all ask you to provide the date of the transaction and a copy of the receipt. Don’t have a scanner? No problem. You can also take a photo of the receipt using your mobile phone.

If your provider doesn’t accept photos, download an app like Camscanner that converts an image into a portable document format (PDF). Once you’ve completed the requested information and uploaded a copy of the receipt, you’ll receive a check in the mail shortly afterward.

Spending your FSA money is so easy that you may quickly start adding more and more items to your shopping list. Don’t forget that purchases like reading glasses, contacts, and even sunglasses can be eligible expenses. If you need a last-minute idea for using the rest of your annual balance before the end of the year, consider upgrading your eyewear or buying a new pair of readers to last you through the year.

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↓ Click to enlarge infographic ↓

What can your FSA do you for?

An FSA is a special account that allows you to deduct pre-taxed dollars from your paycheck — contributed throughout the year — to pay for certain out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including vision expenses. FSAs are offered through employers and are in addition to your company-provided healthcare plans.

You can control how much you contribute annually — up to $2,700 a year for individuals and $5,400 for dependents as of 2019. Your contributions can pay for vision-related expenses, including an eye exam and over-the-counter reading glasses. Here’s a comprehensive list of FSA-eligible expenses.

When does my FSA expire?

You have until the end of your benefit (generally, calendar) year to use any funds in your FSA before they expire Additionally, if you leave your job, you forfeit any remaining dollars in your FSA. If you’re terminated from your job, any eligible purchases made on the same day can be submitted for reimbursement. Any purchases made at a later date are ineligible.

Employers, however, may provide an exception to the “use-it-or-lose-it” FSA rule. They may allow you a 10-week grace period during which you can still spend the remaining balance after the calendar year. Or, employers will sometimes allow you to rollover a maximum of $500. Be sure you know your employer’s policies in order to optimize your experience.

How to not lose your FSA money

If the end of the year is near and you still have a remaining balance in your FSA, run through this checklist:

• Have you gotten an eye exam this year? Find an eye doctor near you
• Do you need an extra pair of reading glasses?
• Do you need a pair of reading sunglasses for the beach?
• Are there any FSA-eligible expenses you forgot to submit for reinmbursement?

Next, check the list of FSA-eligible eye care products and services. Your FSA will reimburse you for eligible vision expenses, including:

• Reading glasses
• Reading glasses accessories
• Prescription eyeglasses
• Prescription sunglasses
• Contact lenses and lens care products
• Lasik
• Copayments and deductibles
• Annual eye exams

Make your appointments, and don’t forget to use your FSA card while there. If you do forget to use your FSA card, rest assured that you have 90 days after the end of the year to submit receipts and file a claim with your provider to be reimbursed.

But, you only have 12 months to use it, so budget and plan appropriately.

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Eye Health Awareness

Many conditions can affect one’s vision, including presbyopia, macular degeneration, myopia, cataracts, dry eye, astigmatism, and even digital eye strain. It is important that you are aware of these conditions so that you can receive the proper treatment if necessary. While some conditions such as cataracts, may require surgery, others are less severe. Digital eye strain and presbyopia can both be remedied by the correct reading glasses. We pride ourselves in offering a wide variety of over 700 readers, with hard to find powers ranging from +1.00 to +7.00*.

For more information on eye health and finding the readers that are right for you, visit our Eye Health Guide or our post about buying reading glasses.

Giving Back

Through our partnership with Timmy Global Health, we donate readers to people across the world without access to proper eyewear. Without reading glasses, a woman in Guatemala may lose the ability to sew, and therefore lose her profession, as her eyesight worsens and she cannot see small details up close. This condition is called presbyopia, also known as farsightedness, and is easily correctable with proper reading glasses. Thus, we are dedicated to supporting those without access to medical care by donating readers that can help them regain their livelihoods. In 2018, we donated over 6,000 pairs of glasses to help change lives. Additionally, we have committed to donate $3 to Timmy Global Health for every pair of The Timmy sold.** Join us today by purchasing The Timmy, and help us make a difference in the lives of others!

*Higher powers not available in all states.

Ready-to-wear non-prescription glasses are not intended to replace prescribed corrective lenses or examinations by an eye care professional. Continuous eye check-ups are necessary to determine your health status and vision needs. If you have any questions, please consult your eye care professional.

**From September 1, 2020, through August 31, 2021, Readers.com will donate $3 to Timmy Global Health for every pair of The Timmy reader purchased on Readers.com® in the United States (excluding AL, HI IL, SC, MA, and MS) to help support their global healthcare commitment.

Unlike other ocular conditions, leaving presbyopia untreated does not cause more harm to your vision or eye health. Without correction, presbyopia can interfere with day-to-day tasks and have an impact on your life, which is when individuals tend to seek treatment for their condition.

Some telltale signs of presbyopia include:

• Blurriness when reading items 12-18 inches from your face
• Squinting to focus on reading materials
• The need for bright light to read clearly
• Eye strain and headaches after reading

↓ Click Infographic To Enlarge ↓

What Causes Presbyopia?

Between the ages of 40 and 65, most people’s eyes go through a change that leads to presbyopia. In a healthy eye, the cornea and the eye’s lens (the clear disc behind your cornea) work together to focus the light that reflects off of an object so you see the object clearly. The lens contracts and expands thanks to the help of a circular muscle, which in turn allows your eye to adjust for your near and distance vision respectively.

When you develop presbyopia, that lens becomes rigid. This hardening of the lens prohibits the eye from contracting to focus on close-up objects. In the image below, you can see how a healthy eye has the light focused on the retina to produce a clear image thanks to a flexible lens. In an eye with presbyopia, the lens doesn’t contract, so the light is channeled to the focal point behind your retina producing a blurry image.

Although this may sound frightening, everyone develops some degree of presbyopia during their life, and a simple visit to your eye doctor for an eye exam can confirm the diagnosis.

Many people associate the need for reading glasses with aging, but don’t let reaching this milestone get you down. There are several easy fixes to correct your reading vision depending on your preferred method of treatment.

If you’ve received a diagnosis of presbyopia and have an eyeglass prescription from your eye care professional, visit our guide on How to Read an Eyeglass Prescription.

Treatment Options

After you’ve received a diagnosis of presbyopia from an eye care professional, you have several options to correct your vision.

Reading Glasses

If you need no other correction or wear contacts that don’t correct for presbyopia, reading glasses can be an affordable option. This is the iconic image people conjure up when they think of this age-related condition.

However, reading glasses aren’t what they used to be! It’s easy to find reading glasses that look like prescription glasses, are fashionable, and are not one-size-fits-all!  Nearly 50% of Americans aged 45-64 wear reading glasses to correct presbyopia according to The Vision Council’s June 2018 VisionWatch Report.

Reading glasses can be purchased through your optometrist if you have a different reading power in each eye, or need a very weak or strong reading power. Reading glasses purchased from an eye care office tend to be significantly more expensive than over-the-counter reading glasses found at Readers.com®, drug stores, dollar stores, or in value packs. Need help determining your reading glasses power? Try our Power Finder guide.

Prescription Glasses

Single Vision

Single vision lenses have one prescription throughout the entire lens that corrects for myopia (nearsightedness) or presbyopia (farsightedness). This type of lens is the most common and is also the traditional lens found in prescription or over-the-counter reading glasses.

Bifocal

Prescription bifocal glasses can correct for nearsightedness and farsightedness within the same lens. The top of the lens has the correction for distance vision, and the lower portion has the correction for close-up vision. Bifocal lenses have a visible line dividing the bifocal area from the rest of the lens.

Trifocal

Similar to a bifocal, a trifocal lens has three focal points and corrections throughout the lens: distance, intermediate, and close-up. Visible lines do appear between the viewing areas.

Progressive

Progressive lenses have three viewing areas, similar to a trifocal. However, progressive lenses have no lines because the power gradually, or progressively, changes throughout the lens. These lenses also eliminate some of the issues bifocal and trifocal wearers experience due to the abrupt power changes and visible lines in the lens.

Surgery

For those who aren’t interested in wearing glasses, surgical options are available to correct presbyopia for qualified candidates.

A somewhat new technique, a corneal inlay can be performed to correct presbyopia. This short procedure inserts a lens into the cornea of one eye to improve near vision. Corneal inlays can be removed or even replaced if vision post-procedure needs to be adjusted.

Another surgical route involves a refractive surgery like LASIK to help correct your vision by creating monovision. These procedures will reshape the cornea to create close-up vision in one eye, and distance vision in the other. Before performing a procedure like this, your eye doctor may recommend trying monovision contact lenses to ensure monovision is right for you.

*Please consult your eye doctor before making a decision about your eye health. The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. See our full disclaimer.

Dr. Holly Vaught graduated with honors from Indiana University School of Optometry in 2009. Her optometry training included time at John Kenyon Eye Institute in New Albany, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky, and time at The Richmond Eye Center in Richmond, Indiana, with a concentration in diagnosis and treatment of common ocular diseases including glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. She also trained in the Optometry and Ophthalmology wings at the Keesler Air Force Base hospital in Biloxi, Mississippi, with a concentration in primary care and pre-op and post-op care for refractive surgery procedures.

Dr. Vaught is the optometrist at Vaught Family Eye Care in Franklin, Indiana, where she develops lasting relationships with her patients by providing comprehensive services for patients of all ages including vision and eye health exams, presbyopia diagnosis and treatment, treatment of other common ocular diseases, and co-management of eye surgeries such as LASIK and cataract surgery.

She is a member in good standing of the American Optometric Association, the Indiana Optometric Association, and Women of Vision.