Di Balik Kebutuhan Kacamata Baca yang Muncul Saat Usia 40
Liputan6.com, Jakarta – As people enter their 40s, many begin to notice changes in their vision, especially when looking at nearby objects. Text messages on a smartphone seem smaller, reading requires holding a book farther away, and headaches may develop after prolonged reading. These changes are commonly caused by presbyopia, an age-related condition in which the eyes gradually lose their ability to focus on close objects.
According to dr. Ucok P. Pasaribu, Sp.M(K), Consultant Ophthalmologist at Mayapada Eye Centre, presbyopia typically becomes noticeable between the ages of 40 and 45.
“By the age of 45, the need for reading glasses can no longer be postponed. Otherwise, you may experience headaches, and even the appearance of food can seem different,” said dr. Ucok during the media discussion “Longevity Era: Investing in Vision for a Better Quality of Life” on Saturday (June 20, 2026).
Presbyopia develops as the eye’s natural lens gradually loses its elasticity with age. When people are younger, the lens easily changes shape to focus on objects at different distances.
However, as time passes, the lens becomes stiffer, reducing the eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects.
As a result, everyday activities such as reading text messages, checking shopping receipts, reading newspapers, or working on a computer become more difficult without visual correction.
Many people find themselves holding their phones farther away or looking for brighter lighting to read clearly. Reading Glasses Remain the Most Common Solution. Reading glasses continue to be the most widely used solution for presbyopia.
Today, several options are available, including standard reading glasses, bifocal lenses, and progressive lenses, which provide clear vision at near, intermediate, and far distances within a single pair of glasses.
Dr. Ucok shared that he also started wearing reading glasses in his mid-40s.
“I started wearing reading glasses when I was around 44 or 45 years old. Personally, I prefer progressive lenses,” he said.
Laser Vision Correction as an Alternative
Advances in ophthalmic technology have also introduced laser vision correction procedures, including PRESBYOND, as an alternative for suitable candidates. This procedure uses laser technology to reshape the cornea, helping reduce dependence on glasses, including for patients with presbyopia.
However, dr. Ucok emphasized that the goal of the procedure is not to restore vision to the level experienced during youth, but rather to reduce the need for glasses in daily life.
“The goal is not to make vision perfectly normal again, but to reduce dependence on glasses,” he explained.
Healthy Eyes Require a Healthy Lifestyle
Dr. Ucok also highlighted that vision quality in later life is influenced not only by aging but also by overall health. An unhealthy lifestyle may accelerate age-related changes in the eye’s natural lens, potentially reducing the long-term benefits of vision correction.
Therefore, maintaining eye health requires a comprehensive approach. This includes eating a balanced diet, managing chronic medical conditions, getting adequate rest, and having regular comprehensive eye examinations with an ophthalmologist.
