What Is Dysfunctional Lens Syndrome?
Has your eye doctor said that you are becoming more nearsighted? Are you over the age of 42?
If you meet these qualifications, then you could be developing dysfunctional lens syndrome. Dysfunctional lens syndrome is a normal part of getting older. To understand it more, keep reading to learn about dysfunctional lens syndrome!
What does dysfunctional lens syndrome mean?
Dysfunctional lens syndrome is a part of the aging process. It is only one stage when it comes to how the eyes develop.
For most people, this starts around the age of 42. Dysfunctional lens syndrome is the term used to describe the normal and natural changes in the eye’s natural lenses after age 42.
Why is it important that I know about dysfunctional lens syndrome?
Being educated about dysfunctional lens syndrome is important because it is good to understand how the body changes with age. When it comes to treating different eye conditions, understanding how your eyes work plays into selecting the best treatment options. For example, if you’re very nearsighted, you may not be a good candidate for LASIK.
What does dysfunctional lens syndrome look like?
Patients experience dysfunctional lens syndrome in different ways. For example, if a patient had LASIK in the past, they might think that the procedure is no longer working.
But it is not the cornea changing, it is actually the lens in your eye. In other patients with perfect vision, they may need glasses to see at a distance for distances and close up or one or some for other distances. In this case, it is due to the lens changing.
Is dysfunctional lens syndrome common?
Once it was understood how the eye changes over time in stages, it became more common to receive a diagnosis of dysfunctional lens syndrome.
What are the different stages of dysfunctional lens syndrome?
There are three stages of dysfunctional lens syndrome. Each one occurs at a different age range and has different changes in the lens and treatment options.
Stage 1:
Stage 1 occurs between ages 42-50 and the lens begins to stiffen and loses the ability to focus. In this stage, patients may need reading glasses to be able to read clearly. The treatment options at this stage are reflective lens exchange surgery or LASIK/PRK.
Stage 2:
This stage occurs in adults age 50+ and includes the loss of accommodation, loss of ability to see any contrast and driving at night becomes more challenging. The treatment options at this stage are the same as stage one.
Stage 3:
This stage typically occurs in adults 65+ and they have full cataracts. Patients usually have issues with their vision and colors look different than they did before.
They usually are faded, so a white shirt looks cream or light yellow. The treatment option at this stage is cataract surgery. This involves removing the natural lens and replacing it with an artificial one.
Are you concerned about dysfunctional lens syndrome? Schedule an appointment at Ginsberg Eye in Naples, FL, today to discuss your options!
