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 • Apr. 4, 2024

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 • Sep. 21, 2023

Doctors call it presbyopia, a term rooted in Greek and meaning “old eye,” and it happens to everyone at some point.

From Washington Post • Jul. 17, 2022

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

From Scientific American • Feb. 15, 2022

In other words, there are two common imperfections of the human organ of sight; one called myopia, or "near-sightedness;" the presbyopia, or "far-sightedness."

From Caxton's Book: A Collection of Essays, Poems, Tales, and Sketches. by Rhodes, W. H. (William Henry)