Prevalence of presbyopia in Germany: Does it affect all of us?

Over the course of their lives, almost all Germans are affected by presbyopia. There are differences in the severity of this completely normal, age-related decline in near vision. Some people manage without visual aids, while the majority of Germans will need glasses at some point in their lives.

In this article, you will learn why presbyopia occurs, how common it is worldwide, and what can be done about it.

Why our vision worsens with age

With age, the lens of the eye loses elasticity. This accommodative ability — the lens’s ability to adjust for near and distance vision — gradually declines.

This makes it increasingly difficult to see nearby objects clearly, such as books or smartphone screens. The so-called near point, i.e., the point at which a nearby object can still be seen sharply, moves progressively further away from the eye. Another problem is the ciliary muscle, which helps adjust the curvature of the lens and also loses flexibility.

This age-related change affects almost everyone from around age 40 to 50 and leads to presbyopia, which can make everyday life significantly more difficult without appropriate vision correction or treatment.

Many patients do not come to my practice immediately but instead try to come to terms with their declining vision. However, that need not be the case, and I am happy to explain that there are indeed many treatment options to help them lead a carefree life.

Presbyopia in Germany and around the world

In Germany, presbyopia affects the vast majority of people. A recent survey confirms this: about half of Germans aged 18 to 24 say they wear glasses at least occasionally. Among people over 55, that proportion is 92%, and the increase is sometimes attributable to presbyopia.¹

This means that millions of people need reading glasses or another form of visual aid to manage their daily lives. Worldwide, prevalence is similarly high: an estimated one billion people are affected by presbyopia.²

This number continues to rise, as longer life expectancy and improved access to medical care mean that more people are living longer — and thus more people reach the age when presbyopia becomes an issue. Treatment options vary by region.

¹Statista: Glasses use increases significantly from middle age onward. https://de.statista.com/infografik/28301/anteil-der-befragten-die-mindestens-hin-und-wieder-brille-trag
²Health information: presbyopia (age-related farsightedness). https://www.gesundheitsinformation.de/alterssichtigkeit-presbyopie.html.

Laser eye surgery for clear vision at any age

Laser eye surgery has become one of the most effective long-term methods for correcting presbyopia and enabling clear vision without glasses. Modern techniques include monovision, which optimizes one eye for near vision and the other for distance vision. This technique takes advantage of the brain’s natural ability to combine the images from both eyes into a single clear image.

In addition to Monovision, there is also the PRESBYOND® Blended Vision procedure. With this highly innovative method, the eyes’ refractive power is adjusted to create a seamless transition zone, allowing clear vision for both near and distant objects.

Refractive lens replacement (RLE) is a good option for patients for whom laser eye surgery is not an option. Here, the natural lens is replaced by an artificial lens to improve vision at different distances. A positive side effect of RLE: Any cataract present will be corrected at the same time.

Presbyopia eventually affects most of us, but there are now several treatment options. This can make it difficult for patients to decide which one is best for them.

After the comprehensive preliminary examinations, we at Bányai Neue Augen will meet with you for a personal consultation. There is room for all your questions, and together we’ll find the ideal path to greater self-determination for you.

Read more about presbyopia:

• Presbyopia simply explained

• Declining vision in old age: When does vision start to decline?

• Do you become short-sighted or long-sighted with age?

• What helps with age-related vision problems?

• Symptoms of presbyopia: How do I recognize it?

• What treatment options are available for presbyopia?

• How does presbyopia differ from other vision problems?

• How does presbyopia affect my everyday life?

• Which foods are good for eye health in old age?

• Which factors influence presbyopia?

• Presbyopia vs. Myopia: What Are the Differences?

• Presbyopia vs. Farsightedness: What’s the Difference?

• Does smoking affect presbyopia?

• Myths about presbyopia: What is really true?

• Eye problems due to presbyopia — an issue as early as age 40

• What are the costs of treating presbyopia? A comparison of treatment options

• The 10 most common eye diseases in old age

• Exercises to improve presbyopia

• What to do about presbyopia and nearsightedness?

• Reading glasses – 10 things to keep in mind

• Reading glasses or progressive lenses: Which is the better long-term solution?

• Which reading glasses are right for me?

• Contact lenses for presbyopia: what you need to know

• Diopter table for presbyopia

• Glasses or contact lenses for presbyopia?

• Experiences after laser eye surgery for presbyopia