Will a nearsighted person still develop presbyopia in old age?
Nov 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
Presbyopia is a physiological condition caused by aging and hardening of the lens, leading to decreased accommodative ability. It differs from the cause of myopia. Whether or not a person has myopia, presbyopia may develop at a certain age, typically after 40 years old. People with myopia need glasses to see distant objects clearly. As they age and their lens' accommodative ability weakens, they will experience typical presbyopic symptoms such as blurred near vision and the need to hold reading material closer to see it clearly.
Generally speaking, people with myopia may still develop presbyopia as they age. Only some individuals with high myopia may show less noticeable symptoms of presbyopia. If in doubt, it is recommended to consult a medical professional early. Detailed explanation is as follows:
Presbyopia is a physiological condition caused by aging and hardening of the lens, leading to reduced accommodative ability. It differs from the cause of myopia. Regardless of whether a person has myopia, presbyopia may occur at a certain age (usually after 40 years old). People with myopia require glasses to see distant objects clearly. As they age, their lens' ability to adjust weakens, causing typical presbyopia symptoms such as blurred near vision and needing to hold reading material closer. These individuals may need bifocal or progressive lenses to correct both myopia and presbyopia.
Some individuals with high myopia (e.g., myopia exceeding -6.00 diopters) have stronger refractive power in their eyes, allowing them to see near objects without excessive lens accommodation. As a result, presbyopia symptoms may appear later or be milder compared to those with mild or moderate myopia. They might not need additional reading glasses. However, this does not mean they are immune to presbyopia—rather, their myopia offsets part of the effect of presbyopia.
Older individuals with myopia who experience difficulty seeing close objects should undergo professional refraction testing to determine whether presbyopia is present and assess its degree. It is important to maintain proper eye usage habits, avoid prolonged near-work, have regular fundus examinations, and manage overall eye health considering both myopia and presbyopia.
