Presbyopia vs Myopia​: What is the Difference?

From difficulty reading small print to having trouble seeing into the distance, small change in vision can impact our daily routine.  

Read on as our Optegra experts explore the key differences between presbyopia and myopia. 

What are Refractive Errors? 

Myopia and presbyopia are both “refractive errors”. They distort our vision by altering how light is focused on the retina which in turn, causes blurred vision, among other symptoms.  Whilst they’re both common eye conditions, you must schedule an appointment with your optician if the symptoms worsen.   

Presbyopia vs Myopia: What is the Difference? 

Presbyopia and myopia affect your vision in different ways, and each requires distinct treatment approaches. 

• Presbyopia is an age-related condition. It progressively worsens until the person hits their mid to late 40s. Here, the eye lens loses flexibility, which makes it difficult to focus on nearby objects. This often results in the person needing reading glasses, multifocal lenses, or surgical correction. 

• Myopia tends to develop earlier in a person’s life and is determined by genetics and environment. Distant objects appear blurry due to the eyeball being too long or the cornea too curved. Treatments include glasses, contact lenses, or laser eye surgery such as LASIK and SMILE. 

How Do the Symptoms Differ? 

Presbyopia and myopia have different symptoms, therefore it’s important to understand the difference between the two:   

Presbyopia   

• Difficulty focusing on close objects 

• When reading there is a need to hold reading material farther away  

• Experiencing eye strain or headaches  

• Additional problems can be experienced in low-light conditions (reading or texting on phone)  

Myopia 

• Blurry vision when looking at distant objects  
• Squinting to see clearly, and difficulty seeing road signs or screens from a distance

Can You Have Myopia & Presbyopia at the Same Time? 

People with myopia will become presbyopic in their mid to late forties, usually becoming symptomatic in their mid to late 50s.  

For those with myopia, presbyopia can create new challenges. For example, a person with myopia will find that their regular prescription glasses for distance no longer work well for tasks such as reading or looking at a smartphone. A new and updated prescription will be needed for clearer near vision.  

When to Seek Medical Advice  

If you’re experiencing the symptoms of either presbyopia or myopia as described , we’d recommend scheduling an eye exam with your optician. Especially if you begin experiencing frequent headaches or eye strain, sudden vision changes or have difficulties with everyday tasks.  

What Are the Treatment Options for Presbyopia & Myopia? 

Thankfully, there are a range of solutions for presbyopia and myopia. Varifocals correct distance vision for myopia and near vision for reading and are a simple and non-invasive option, allowing you to enjoy everyday activities without eye strain. Other options may include: 

Contact Lenses – Options like multifocal lenses or monovision contacts (one lens for near and one for distance) allow for clearer vision without glasses.   

PRESBYOND surgery – Procedures such as PRESBYOND LASIK work by reshaping the cornea to improve vision.  

LASEK surgery –  LASEK creates a thin epithelium flap (outer layer of the cornea) using an alcohol solution or a specialised instrument. The flap is lifted, and the underlying corneal tissue is reshaped using an excimer laser. After the reshaping, the flap is repositioned. Patients may opt for LASEK instead of LASIK due to factors such as thinner corneas, a higher risk of eye trauma, or a preference for a procedure that preserves more of the corneal tissue. Additionally, LASEK may be recommended for individuals who are involved in contact sports or have jobs that involve a higher risk of eye injury. 

SMILE surgery – SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is the latest laser eye surgery used to correct refractive errors such as near-sightedness (myopia) and is a minimally invasive procedure. It uses a femtosecond laser to create a thin, disc-shaped lenticule within the cornea, which is then removed through a small incision, reshaping the cornea and correcting the refractive error. 

Alternatively, lens replacement surgery may be recommended in some cases. To weigh up your options, understand the pros and cons between contact lenses and laser eye surgery.  

Our Experts Are Here to Help You 

Laser eye surgery offers an effective form of vision correction to relieve common eye conditions. To see if laser eye surgery might work for you, contact us for a free consultation with one of our Optegra experts, today.