OT: Presbyopia, or "Old Guy Eyes"

Stroke? Glaucoma?

The great classic composer Bach almost lost his vision to the old age. One day he was very exited as he suddenly could see the things again... but several days later he died as the result of the stoke.

Vladimir Vassilevsky DSP and Mixed Signal Design Consultant

I am sorry to say this can be sign of cataracts starting to form. You should see your opthamologist.

very common for nearsighted folks to get less so after about age 50.

My mom is 84, worn glasses all her life. I noted about a year ago that her newest glasses were very thin. She said that she doesn't even need them to drive anymore, she just uses the reading lenses. I looked through them and and the upper lenses had almost no correction.

At 55, my prescription dropped back a point or so. there's hope

My prescription dropped back several years ago, but it didn't last and a couple years later I was back to the same number. At my next eye appointment I suspect I will have an increase, I've noticed when I leave the computer my cheaters don't immediately come off anymore. MikeK

No. It cannot get better in the sense that you regain close accommodation.

It can get "better" in the sense that you spontaneously develop a change in (your now fixed) refraction *as if* you were accommodating close. This is often due to an underlying problem, and any such change in vision should get you to a ophthalmologist promptly. It could be something trivial like edema from an allergic reaction, or it could be something serious.

I've been nearsighted all my life. I used to be able to focus on the tip of my own nose. Lately I've been getting less nearsighted, and can now drive without glasses. Close-up stuff is getting harder to do, so I use reading glasses or my Mantis for surface-mount stuff. I can't focus closer than about 11" now.

I'm slowly getting cataracts, so one of these years I'll need new lenses. They can correct my astigmatism while they're at it. Apparently I can get any focal distance I want, so I think I'll go for about 10", and wear glasses when I drive.

If your vision has changed suddenly, I'd see a doctor.

John

If I've had a stroke, it's a mighty mild one; and there's very little chance of glaucoma - I take my meds for that every day. ;-)

Thanks, Rich

Presbyopia is caused by two things...the increase in "stiffness" of the lens and the decrease in the ability of the muscles which shape it. Both of these limit the ability of the the eye to change focus to near objects. A cataract, growing in the lens, but out of the visual field will cause the lens to "bulge", thus focus on nearer objects.

It's worth a visit to an ophthalmologist to find out!

I had a spontaneous improvement in my prescription and the ophthalmologist got all excited and ordered a CAT scan to rule out a brain tumour. Negative.

It might be worth a visit to your ophthalmologist.

Well, based on the advice of all the kind folks here, I have an appointment at the clinic for next Wednescay, a week from now.

But wouldn't it be weird to find out that something suddenly getting better is a sign of something else getting worse?

EEk! Rich

Boy, I just got a crazy idea! If cannabis can be used to treat glaucoma, is there a possibility that its effect of reducing vitreous humor pressure might help the lens recover some of its youthful elasticity? ;=D

Man, I'd volunteer for that study!

Cheers! Rich

Got an appointment next wednesday, thanks! Rich

Got an appointment next wednesday, thanks! Rich

Got an appointment next wednesday, thanks! Rich

AIUI, it's not so much that the lens loses elasticity, rather the muscle (or tendon) around the lens loses its. There is nothing left to adjust the lens and it's stuck at its natural focal distance.

No surprises.

I'll echo everyone else, though. SEE AN EYE DOCTOR. Something is going on and there is a high probability that it isn't all good.

No, see an ophthalmologist, who is qualified to diagnose and treat disease. Optometrists are not qualified for that, although they tend to call themselves "eye doctors".

I have an appointment for next week.

Thanks! Rich

Presbyopia is a term given for the ageing and hardening of the lens with a decreased ability to accommodate and focus on near objects.

That's not what you've experienced. The only condition I can think of which would improve near sight in a day or so is from a change in blood sugar. Are you diabetic, does diabetes run in the family, are you significantly overweigh. Either way I would visit my doctor PDQ.

Do let us know how you get on.