Flat-sighted

Flat-sighted, also known as presbyopic, is a descriptive term for a person or an animal whose vision has gradually lost its ability to focus on nearby objects. This condition typically occurs with age, due to the hardening of the eye's lens and weakening of the ciliary muscles responsible for accommodation. Individuals with this condition often find it difficult to perform close-up tasks like reading small print or threading a needle without the aid of corrective lenses. The severity varies, and can be exacerbated by underlying eye conditions.

Flat-sighted meaning with examples

• Grandma held the newspaper at arm's length, squinting to read the headlines, a classic sign of being flat-sighted. She needed reading glasses to make out the print clearly, as her vision had become increasingly blurred up close. She had accepted the age related change and the need to keep her reading glasses around her house and in her car.
• The vet noticed the old Labrador's trouble seeing the treat held close to her face; it indicated that she was becoming flat-sighted. He recommended an examination to rule out other potential causes of impaired vision. He suspected the condition could be age related.
• My father had always prided himself on his sharp eyesight, but with increasing age he was becoming flat-sighted, and was constantly frustrated with his reading glasses. He used to be able to read the small print in the daily newspaper, without problem but not any more, and his frustration continued.
• The optician diagnosed Sarah as flat-sighted after performing a thorough eye exam; her near vision was significantly impaired. He prescribed a set of reading glasses to help with everyday activities. He explained the hardening of the lens to her as the reason she had suddenly experienced the change.
• The artist found that the aging process made her flat-sighted; she struggled to see the fine details on her canvas. She now relies on a magnifying glass and glasses to continue her work. She could no longer see the nuances, and so had to adapt or change profession, or become more adaptive.