Helping You See Clearly, no matter the sightedness
Struggling to read menus, text messages, or books up close, even though your distance vision seems fine? That’s a common sign of presbyopia, or 老花眼 in Mandarin. It’s a natural part of ageing that affects everyone eventually, typically starting in your 40s. While reading glasses are often the first solution, many people find them inconvenient or frustrating over time.
At London Eye & Retina, we offer several treatment options for presbyopia beyond glasses, including surgical and lens-based solutions that can help you regain clear near and distance vision and reduce or eliminate your reliance on reading glasses.
What Is Presbyopia (老花眼)?
Presbyopia occurs when the eye’s natural lens loses flexibility, making it harder to focus on near objects. It’s not a disease, but a normal, age-related change. Symptoms include:
- Difficulty reading small print
- Needing to hold reading material further away
- Eye strain or headaches after close work
- Blurry near vision, especially in dim lighting
Unlike short-sightedness or long-sightedness, presbyopia affects everyone with age, even if you’ve never worn glasses before.
Non-Surgical Options
For those not ready for surgery, several alternatives can help:
- Multifocal Contact Lenses: Offer near and distance correction in one lens
- Reading Glasses or Progressive Lenses: Common and easy to access
- Prescription Adjustments: Tailored eyewear for specific tasks or lifestyles
However, many patients are now seeking more permanent, hassle-free solutions.
Surgical and Lens-Based Treatments
1. Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
Replaces the eye’s ageing natural lens with a multifocal or extended depth-of-focus intraocular lens (IOL), similar to cataract surgery. It provides clearer near, intermediate, and distance vision.
2. PresbyLASIK
A modified LASIK procedure that creates a multifocal effect on the cornea to improve near and far vision.
3. Monovision Correction
One eye is corrected for distance and the other for near vision. This can be achieved with LASIK or contact lenses and may serve some individuals.
4. Corneal Inlays (less commonly used today)
Small devices are implanted into the cornea to improve near vision in one eye.
Which Option Is Right for You?
Choosing a treatment depends on your age, lifestyle, eye health, and whether you have other vision conditions like cataracts or astigmatism. At London Eye & Retina, we conduct detailed eye assessments to recommend the most suitable option tailored to your needs and visual goals.
Presbyopia and Cataracts: Often Treated Together
Because presbyopia and cataracts both affect the natural lens, many patients opt for RLE or cataract surgery with a presbyopia-correcting IOL to address both issues in one step.
Say Goodbye to Reading Glasses
You don’t have to let presbyopia limit your lifestyle. Whether you’re reading, working, or simply enjoying time with family, we’re here to help you see again, both near and far.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. James Ng at London Eye & Retina and explore your options for clearer, sharper sight.
Let us guide you to the clearest vision for your next chapter.
