There may be some confusion with these symptoms being thought of as long-sightedness (known as hyperopia), but the two concerns are different in cause.

With hyperopia, it’s the shape of the eyeball / cornea that means light is bent irregularly and far away objects appear blurred. With presbyopia, it’s the flexibility of the natural lens that is the cause, as it becomes less supple and compliant.

Presbyopia can be diagnosed through regular check-ups with an optician, who will identify the condition as a result of an eye examination. When a prescription for glasses is issued, patients may find they have a plus sign before the number (sphere), which may be between 1 and 3.