When we are born, the natural lens inside each of our eyes is very soft and pliable. This lens is an elastic structure that changes shape, or accommodates, to focus on objects at various distances. As we age, this lens loses some of its elasticity and becomes more rigid, making it increasingly difficult to see things clearly at near and intermediate distances.

 

Presbyopia may seem to occur suddenly, but the actual loss of flexibility is gradual, taking place over a number of years. Long before we become aware that seeing up close is becoming more difficult, the lenses in our eyes have begun losing their elasticity and their ability to change shape (accommodate). Only when the loss of elasticity impairs the vision to a noticeable degree do we recognize the change. Presbyopia typically begins to interface with near vision between the ages of 40 and 45, and is particularly disturbing to people that have had excellent natural vision all their life.