Presbyopia (or, aging of the lens of the eye) normally occurs around age 40. The crystalline lens in the eye acts as a 'zoom' by aiding us in focusing from far to near. As we age, the lens begins to lose its ability to accommodate or focus on near objects. Reading glasses are needed to compensate for presbyopia. People who are nearsighted may not notice the onset of presbyopia as soon as patients with farsightedness because of the cornea's ability to focus near objects, although far images are blurred. In fact, many people over age 40 who have their nearsightedness corrected by refractive procedure or by contact lenses not designed to correct presbyopia often find they need reading glasses afterwards because their presbyopia becomes more apparent.

Today, the optometrist has a vast array of products for presbyopia. These range from products such as bifocal contacts to monovision contact lens fitting and wearing regimens, from daily throw away to 30-day extended wear. Today’s ophthalmic lenses have many benefits not available in past years. Benefits run the gamut from anti-reflective/anti-glare coatings and anti-scratch coatings to state of the art progressive no-line bifocal lenses.