Presbyopia is the inability to focus on things that are at normal reading distance, such as text on your mobile phone and print on packaging. It is a natural part of ageing and happens as your lens loses elasticity.

Who is affected by presbyopia?

Presbyopia occurs as we get older – and will happen to everybody – even those who have never previously had a problem with their eyesight. It usually starts to become noticeable in your late 30s or early 40s.

What are the symptoms of presbyopia?

People with presbyopia have difficulty focussing on things that are close, such as menus, phone screens and books – especially in dim lighting. As you age, you will also find that things that are further away from you, such as computer screens, also become blurry. You may also notice that it takes longer to change your focus between looking at something close and looking at something far away (or vice versa).