Presbyopia
The Old Eye
How Vision Works
The eye contains receptors for vision. Perception of an object is achieved when light reflected from the object enters the eye through the pupil and is focused by the cornea and lens to form sharp images of the object on the retina. The retina is the network of neurons that contains the receptors for vision.
NEURONS AND THE BRAIN
The neuron contains dendrites, cell body, and the axon. Information from the stimulus is turned into an electrical signal, via transduction. That electrical activity moves down the neuron in the form of an action potential. When it arrives at the end of the axon, the information crosses the synapse by communication with neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters bind to specific receptors of neurons to get the information to the visual receiving area (striate cortex).
What is Presbyopia?
When viewing an object, the eye needs to focus. This is done by tiny ciliary muscles that pull and push the lens, adjusting its curvature. This adjust the eye's ability to bring objects into focus.
As an individual ages, the lens becomes less flexible and elastic, and the muscles become less powerful. The changes result in inadequate adjustment of the lens, which makes objects that are close will appear blurry.
Treatment
An alternative option of treatment is laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK). While this helps restore a minor amount of the vision lost, there is a side-effect to the surgery. The surgery can cause a reduction in binocular distance vision and depth perception.
Prevention
References
References
About Eyes, Vision and Sight. (n.d.). Retrieved from Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank: http://www.eyebankbr.org/Education.php
Goldstein, B. E. (2014). Sensation and Perception. Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Neuron Structure. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nicerweb.com/bio1152/Locked/media/ch48/neuron.html
Presbyopia. (n.d.). Retrieved from Pearl Optics: http://pearloptics.in/e05_pearl_optics_Presbyopia.html
Presbyopia. (2013). Retrieved from Health and Wellness Resource Center: http://galenet.galegroup.com.bakerezproxy.palnet.info/servlet/HWRC/hits?docNum=CX2760400879&aci=flag&tcit=1_1_0_1_1_1&index=BA&locID=lom_falconbaker&rlt=1&origSearch=true&t=RK&s=1&r=d&secondary=false&o=&n=10&l=d&searchTerm=2NTA&c=1&basicSearchOption=KE&bu