Presbyopia (synonym: age-related accommodation insufficiency; ICD-10 H52.4: presbyopia) is presbyopia of the eye. This refers to the loss of accommodation ability (“focusing” of the image) in old age – sharp near vision is no longer possible. The accommodative power drops below 3 diopters. For comparison: A 10-year-old has an accommodation width of approx. 15 diopters, a 40-year-old only 4.5 diopters.
This is a physiological process that affects everyone.
Frequency peak: The disease occurs approximately from the 40th to 50th year of life.
Course and prognosis: The visual impairment can be compensated by optical aids, in most cases glasses. Presbyopia is progressive (advancing) until about age 70.
