presbyopia

American  

[prez-bee-oh-pee-uh, pres-] / ˌprɛz biˈoʊ pi ə, ˌprɛs- /

noun

Ophthalmology.

1. farsightedness due to ciliary muscle weakness and loss of elasticity in the crystalline lens.

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presbyopia British  

/ ˌprɛzbɪˈəʊpɪə, ˌprɛzbɪˈɒpɪk /

noun

1. a progressively diminishing ability of the eye to focus, noticeable from middle to old age, caused by loss of elasticity of the crystalline lens

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Other Word Forms

• presbyopic adjective

Etymology

Origin of presbyopia

1785–95; < Greek presby- (combining form of présbys old, old man) + -opia

Example Sentences

A normal part of aging, presbyopia occurs when the eye becomes increasingly rigid, making it harder to focus on nearby objects.

From New York Times

Uncorrected presbyopia, not surprisingly, makes it harder for breadwinners to support their families.

From New York Times

In addition to studying techniques to help treat cataracts, the researchers are applying their methods to study other major eye conditions, including presbyopia and myopia.

From Science Daily

This modest effect might be most useful for people in the early stages of presbyopia, who don’t need much corrective help.

From Washington Post

After the age of 40, many people start developing presbyopia, a medical term rooted in the Greek phrase for old eyes.

From Scientific American