The lens of the eye changes its shape easily, allowing you to focus on objects both close and far away. After the age of 40, the lens becomes more rigid. Because the lens can't change shape as easily as it once did, it is more difficult to read at close range. This perfectly normal condition is called presbyopia. You can also have presbyopia in combination with myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.
Refractive surgery can partially correct presbyopia through monovision.
The light rays are focused directly on the retina. Nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism can all be corrected in varying degrees by the Stanford Eye Laser Center. If you have questions or comments about this website, please email the webmaster .