About ninety percent of people over age 45 suffer from presbyopia. This is the condition in which the crystalline lens of our eyes loses its flexibility. As a result, as we get older, it’s harder for us to focus on close objects.

In reality, this loss of flexibility occurs over a number of years. Nevertheless, ordinarily we don’t realize it until we are in our middle forties. In short, presbyopia is a normal process of the aging of our eyes.

Up to this point, eye doctors know of no way of preventing presbyopia. Nevertheless, on the plus side, optometrists can remedy the problem by recommending reading glasses, bifocals, or trifocals. As a result, most adults in the United States over 55 use either bifocals or trifocals.

Although regular bifocals are an adequate remedy, they do have their drawbacks. Typically, they don’t handle the mid-range focus area very well. I myself wear bifocals, which work adequately for reading and for distance vision. However, I often have to keep switching my line of sight when I’m engaged in certain activities, like board games.

Not only that, but when I use my computer, I’m at a real disadvantage. I have to hold my head in just the right position, which often gives me either a neck ache or headache. I often just switch to a totally different pair of glasses for use at the computer. Surely, there’s a better solution!

To be sure, I have tried wearing trifocals and progressive lenses. Sadly, both of them made me nauseous. I was never able to completely get used to them. From what my optometrist told me, many other persons have had the same experience.

Electronic Bifocals Are the Solution

In recent years, scientists at the University of Arizona have discovered the solution: electronic glasses. With electronic glasses, each lens is made of of two plates between which is a super-thin layer of shape-shifting liquid crystals. One of the plates in the lens is coated with minuscule, clear electrodes. When an electric current passes through these transparent electrodes, it results in the liquid crystals rearranging themselves. In short, the liquid crystals mimic the focusing apparatus of human eyes. This electronic focusing all happens in a second.

Where does the electricity come from? It comes from a miniature battery located inside the eyeglass frames. When the battery is in the on position, it enables the wearer to perform close-up jobs like reading a book. Simply switch the battery off, and the electronic bifocals return to the strength needed for distance vision.

The exciting thing about electronic bifocals is that they are not some science fiction project that will hit the market in twenty years. No, electronic glasses are scheduled to be available in late 2010.

Will Dunsmoore is a writer who is eagerly waiting for the arrival of electronic glasses. To know when electronic glasses hit the market, you can check his website, Electronic Glasses.

Tags: bifocals, electronic bifocals, electronic glasses, eyewear, glasses, health, optometrists, Vision