Can People Who Were Nearsighted in Their Youth Still Develop Farsightedness When They Age?

This question actually troubles quite a few people. Simply put, myopia and presbyopia are two different vision problems that can coexist in one person. Myopia is caused by an overly long eyeball or an excessively curved cornea, primarily affecting the ability to see distant objects. Presbyopia, on the other hand, occurs as the eye's lens gradually loses elasticity with age, impacting the ability to see near objects. Therefore, even if one is myopic in their youth, they may still develop presbyopia as they age.

In life, we often hear people say that those with myopia will not get presbyopia when they get older. This is actually a misconception. People with myopia need glasses to see distant objects, but when looking at near objects, they may not need glasses because their myopia degree partially offsets the impact of presbyopia. This does not mean they do not have presbyopia; rather, the degrees of the two conditions offset each other to some extent. This situation is often mistakenly interpreted as "not getting presbyopia".

For those who are already myopic, symptoms of presbyopia may gradually appear after age 40. At this point, they may find it difficult to see near objects, such as reading books or using phones, requiring them to hold the objects farther away. To cope with this situation, many people choose to wear bifocal or progressive multifocal lenses, which can correct both myopia and presbyopia simultaneously.

In daily life, protecting vision is very important. Whether it's myopia or presbyopia, maintaining good eye habits can slow the progression of vision problems. For example, avoiding prolonged staring at electronic screens, taking regular breaks for the eyes, and engaging in more outdoor activities. These habits are not only beneficial for young people with myopia but can also delay the onset of presbyopia.

In summary, being myopic in youth does not mean one will not develop presbyopia in old age. The two are different vision problems that can coexist. Understanding this helps us better protect our vision and choose appropriate correction methods. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and good eye habits will help us maintain clear vision at different stages of life.