I’ve brought up similar topics before, but I want to ask eye care professionals specifically: do you treat patients over 60 who show no signs of presbyopia, or whose symptoms are so minor they don’t need help? I’m talking about people who can look at their phones and drive using only single-vision lenses or no eyewear at all. I often see claims online about people reaching their 80s without ever needing reading glasses, but I’m doubtful. I suspect they just live with some degree of blurriness at various distances. Still, I frequently notice older men reading menus or phones without glasses. Is it possible that monovision or multifocal contact lenses are just much more common than I realize?
It’s not possible; it happens to everyone. People in their 60s who don’t use reading glasses are likely just nearsighted enough that they aren’t affected by it.
It’s also worth considering that they might have undergone cataract surgery and have multifocal or monovision IOLs.
I occasionally encounter patients with natural monovision, where one eye is slightly nearsighted and the other has good distance vision, allowing them to manage without glasses most of the time.
I suspect many people are just slightly nearsighted and opt not to wear glasses. They tolerate some distance blurriness in exchange for keeping their near vision clear.