Can "old age" theoretically correct nearsightedness?

1. 71

   stanwshuraposted 13 years ago

   Can "old age" theoretically correct nearsightedness?
   
   Has anyone ever heard of, or is it theoretically possible that "old age" could correct myopia (nearsightedness) to 20/20?

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2. 67

   relacheposted 13 years ago

   Most often, age doesn't not improve the condition or ability of the eye muscles to change focus.  While it's not impossible that someone's eyes could become less nearsighted as they age, it's highly improbable.
   
   A significant amount of seniors wear bifocal glasses, which offer correction for both near and far sight.

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3. 76

   Patty Inglish, MSposted 13 years ago

   Beginning in my 30's, my nearsightedness began to correct itself more and more every 2 years or so. A few years ago, my astigmatism also disappeared and that made my opthalmologist scratch his head and recheck my eyes. Astigmatisim is gone! He does not know why

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4. 88

   Maralexaposted 13 years ago

   As we age our eye loses its elasticity to focus.  This is why people with hyperopia (long sight) eventually need glasses to read.  People with short sight (myopia) are also affected by the loss of elasticity in focusing.  This condition is called presbyopia.  Aging won't "correct" your eyes to 20/20 but refractive surgery MAY be able to.  You might want to take a look at my two laser eye surgery hubs.
   
   Myopia is the result of too much curviture of the eye's lens. Hyperopia is where the lens of the eye doesn't curve enough.  Astigmatism is where the lens of either or both eyes is curved a bit unevenly.
   
   Patty's situation is unusual--wonderful, as a matter of fact.      Most people with myopia (short sightedness) just need to correct their prescription for glasses or contacts.  Or get laser surgery if all other conditions of their eyes allow it.
   
   When (if) you get cataract surgery (where an ophthalmologist replaces the lenses in your eyes), you can get adjustments to each new lens that will help you see better close up and far away.  Always check with an eye specialist, preferrably an ophthalmologist.

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5. 71

   stanwshuraposted 13 years ago

   Wow - very informative responses.  I had forgotten about the elasticity thing.  I'm just wondering if I sjhould think about investing in a pair of bi-focals.  Yeesh!  39 years old, folks! 
   
   The thing is - I'm nearsighted (myopic) - and unevenly to boot.  My left eye is someting like 20/140 and my right maybe 20/100ish.  And both are (supposedly) astigmatic.
   
   I have a pair of weaker glasses that I prefer to use when computing and/or reading.  Otherwise, like at the grocery store - I'm the guy who's looking over the top of his glasses (voracious label reader), or with specks in one hand and box of whatever in the other, and even every once in a while with one of the temple arms in my mouth as I am comparing ounces to price of one item and cross multiplying in my head to see which is the cheaper ratio!
   
   Yeah yeah, pipe down with your chuckles.  I'm a geek - I know this.  Rather fitting of the discussion, no?
   
   Hey - woah - wait a sec?  Presbyopia isn't farsightedness?  That's hyperopia?  And presbyopia is "old guy vision" (the loss of elasticity whether myopic or hyperopic?
   
   Cool - I learned something today.  Thanks, folks.

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