Welcome to the first of 5 “Presbyopia” columns dedicated to both engaging and informing optometrists about helping these patients.

Presbyopia may not be new, but the way we address it—and the opportunities it presents—have transformed the practice of optometry dramatically. Specifically, we are at a pivotal moment during which we can provide innovative treatments for presbyopia that can elevate how patients experience life. Consider these facts:

The Market Is Strong

The global population is aging rapidly, with more people in the presbyopic age group than ever before. The average age of the United States workforce is 39, with the number of working adults older than 55 nearly doubling in the past 2 decades.¹ Additionally, retirement ages have climbed from 57 in 1991 to 61 in 2022, according to a Gallup poll. 

We Can Meet Their Needs

While presbyopic patients have always been fastidious about their vision, and in the context of the aging and growing workforce as noted above, the patients of today desire easy, reliable options. They want these options to make them feel young and empowered and not limited by their vision.

Whether it’s critically analyzing multifocal contact lenses or refining digital progressive spectacle lenses for a customized fit, we have the skill set to help our patients regain the freedom and visual clarity they once enjoyed.

Further, by stepping in as experts in presbyopia management, we can guide these patients through their options, while positively differentiating ourselves in a competitive marketplace.

Industry Is on Board

Thanks to research and development from our manufacturing partners, advancements in presbyopia treatments have made it possible to meet these patients’ expectations. Specifically, we now have more tools in our arsenal than ever before: advanced contact lens technologies, digitally designed progressive lenses, multifocal orthokeratology, surgical interventions and implants, and presbyopia-correcting eye drops. (Stay tuned for future columns to delve into these options, including optimal clinical applications.)

What’s more, these tools allow us to tailor treatments to each patient’s unique lifestyle, offering solutions that don’t just address a functional need; they help patients feel younger and more vibrant, instilling both their respect for and loyalty to us.

Our Time to Shine

Presbyopia care has evolved and so have patient expectations. By focusing on this condition now, we can grow our practices and play a meaningful role in enhancing these patients’ lives. Let’s embrace this moment and show patients that presbyopia isn’t just a life hurdle, it’s an opportunity for reinvention. OM

Reference

1. Joint Economic Committee. The Number of Older Workers Is Growing Quickly as They Continue to Face Economic Challenges. Accessed March 5, 2025. https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/democrats/2022/12/the-number-of-older-workers-is-growing-quickly-as-they-continue-to-face-economic-challenges.

Roya Habibi, OD, FAAO, FSLS , is a UC Berkeley trained optometrist with a specialized focus on presbyopia, ocular surface disease, and specialty contact lenses. She is currently the owner and fellowship director at Ojos Del Mar, in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.