Facts about Presbyopia and Treatment Options

Presbyopia is an eye condition that naturally occurs around the age of 40. It results in blurry near vision. There are numerous advanced treatment options available to correct presbyopia in the realm of surgery, including a new class of accommodating and multifocal intraocular lens implants. Fortunately, there are multiple modalities of treatment for presbyopia. In general, there are three ways to treat presbyopia: through the use of glasses or contact lenses, monovision LASIK or monovision ASA, or intraocular lens implants. Corrective eye wear includes prescribed or over-the-counter reading glasses, bifocals and trifocals, and progressive ("no-line" trifocals) glasses. Contact lenses are also an option with monovision spherical contact lenses or multifocal contact lenses. Those with presbyopia can also benefit from monovision applications in LASIK and ASA. Monovision utilizes the phenomenon of "monocular" vision, whereby the dominant eye is corrected for distance and the non-dominant eye is placed for near. Many patients elect this procedure and enjoy the benefits of near and far vision afforded by monovision LASIK and ASA. Finally, for those with presbyopia, with or without cataracts, there is a new, advanced class of accommodating and multifocal lens implants. Intraocular lens implants such as Crystalens®, Tecnis® Multifocal, and ReSTOR® are designed for distance, intermediate, and near vision, thereby treating the problem of focusing up close, while simultaneously correcting the vision for distance. Following a complete eye exam and an assessment of your visual needs and lifestyle, your doctors at Texan Eye will recommend the best treatment option for your presbyopia.