presbyopia

noun

pres·​by·​o·​pia ˌprez-bē-ˈō-pē-ə How to pronounce presbyopia (audio)
ˌpres-
: a visual condition which becomes apparent especially in middle age and in which loss of elasticity of the lens of the eye causes defective accommodation and inability to focus sharply for near vision
presbyopic adjective or noun

Examples of presbyopia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For example, those with presbyopia can opt for multifocal lenses. Malana Vantyler, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Menopause doesn’t affect or cause presbyopia, but Brujic says perimenopausal and menopausal women are in the age group of its typical onset. Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 25 Aug. 2025 When Readers Aren’t Enough Not all eye symptoms people experience in their 40s can be attributed to presbyopia. Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 20 Sep. 2024 Nor do these eye exercises help with presbyopia, or the need for reading glasses, which generally begins at around age 40. Benjamin Botsford, CNN, 10 June 2024 Nor do these eye exercises help with presbyopia, or the need for reading glasses, which generally begins at around age 40. Benjamin Botsford, The Conversation, 30 May 2024 In addition to glucose, the companies have been working on a smart accommodating contact lens for presbyopia (the loss of near-focusing ability) and a smart intraocular lens for improving sight following cataract surgery. IEEE Spectrum, 29 Nov. 2018

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek presbys old man + New Latin -opia

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of presbyopia was in 1767

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Cite this Entry

“Presbyopia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presbyopia. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

presbyopia

noun
pres·​by·​opia ˌprez-bē-ˈō-pē-ə How to pronounce presbyopia (audio) ˌpres- How to pronounce presbyopia (audio)
: a visual condition which becomes apparent especially in middle age and in which loss of elasticity of the lens of the eye causes defective accommodation and inability to focus sharply for near vision

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