Presbyopia

Reading glasses are something many of us will end up depending on as we get older. This is called ‘presbyopia’. For some of you it’s a nuisance, for others it’s a major impairment. It can stifle confidence, and the level of dependency on the glasses can take some of the joy out of life. The good news is that surgeons at Centre for Sight can permanently correct this condition. To understand options for correction, you need to understand why reading glasses are required…

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Why are reading glasses needed?

With advancing age, (beyond the age of 40) the lens in our eye becomes larger and harder and less able to change shape. In earlier life, the lens alters fine focus at near by changing shape. This enables us to read without glasses. The ability to do this decreases over time and as the lens hardens, reading glasses are required. Vision at near gets poorer and poorer with age and stronger glasses are required every few years. Eventually the crystalline lens becomes cloudy and this is known as a cataract.

Options for Correction of Presbyopia

At Centre for Sight two main options are available, the choice of which depends on age and health and power of the individual eye.

These are assessed at a very detailed consultation performed by a Centre for Sight consultant. Corneal implants, such as Kamra and Raindrop are a newer options. Our Medical Advisory Panel is not completely comfortable with these options having had extensive experience with this type of technology many years ago.

Options available at Centre for Sight are selected based on multiple variables including the health of the eye, optical correction required, visual needs and patient expectations. Supracor Lasik is a laser vision correction option for those in their early forties to early fifties. For those older, in most cases where suitable, Laser Lens Replacement may be recommended with either an accommodative lens, trifocal lens or the new WIOL “polyfocal” lens are options which may be considered.