Presbyopia

It’s generally agreed that 100% of people are likely to experience presbyopia at some time over the age of 45. It’s that annoying time when it becomes harder and harder to read small print or a menu without holding it at arm’s length. People who have worn distance glasses to correct myopia will start finding it easier to see up close without their glasses. Unfortunately, the process will continue until it becomes necessary to seek some form of assistance such as glasses or refractive solutions.

Essentially, presbyopia is known to be caused by a loss in the elasticity in the natural crystalline lens of the eye, like grey hair and wrinkles, it’s a symptom caused by the natural course of aging.

Symptoms

Generally, most people notice difficulty in reading fine print, especially in low light conditions. Some might suffer from eye strain and be aware of momentary blurring, especially when transitioning from, say, reading and then looking at something in the far distance.

Assessing

There are a number of standard eye tests, including eye charts, that will determine presbyopia and the best options to correct vision.

Treatment

The use of reading glasses is the most common option for correcting presbyopia. There are also many refractive options that can be considered, depending on the patient and specific condition.

These include refractive lens exchange which, like cataract surgery, involves replacing the eye’s natural lens with an intraocular lens. 

Thanks to recent technical advancements, there are many choices of intraocular lenses, such as bifocal, multifocal – even lenses that correct astigmatism.

Another alternative is monovision where one eye is corrected with laser vision correction to give clear distance vision and the other good (close)reading vision.  This procedure relies on the magic of the brain to adjust to the patient’s requirements. It’s not for everyone, but it can work well for some.

Laser Blended Vision is the most advanced form of monovision;  Laser Vision Correction is used to treat both eyes making one perfect for distance  vision and the other offset to give better near vision.  Clever use of optics also increases the depth of focus in both eyes to optimise the balance between the eyes and enhance the range of clear vision focusing.

The most recent development specifically designed to correct presbyopia is a tiny corneal inlay that is surgically inserted using the femtosecond laser into one eye, a process that is reversible if necessary. Called  KAMRA, it has the advantage over monovision in that both eyes retain good distance vision whilst close vision is enhanced.  This avoids the possible imbalanced feeling that can occur with monovision. At present, it is only available from one Vision Eye Institute clinic.