Eye Condition Focus: Presbyopia

Each month, LaserVision highlight a different eye condition with the aim of raising awareness of the symptoms while providing information on the cause and possible treatments available at LaserVision.

What is Presbyopia?

The medical term Presbyopia describes a refractive error that is a natural part of ageing and usually begins at around 40 years of age, even if you are near sighted. Presbyopia is essentially age-related long sightedness and develops when the natural lens cannot change its shape as much to focus as it becomes less flexible.

Symptoms:

Difficulty in focusing on objects near to the eye, particularly reading or computer work which could results in eye strain, headaches, migraines or feeling fatigued. Patients with presbyopia often find themselves holding items at arm’s length to focus properly.

Cause:

From the age of around 40, the natural lens in the eye becoming less flexible as a natural part of ageing. Premature presbyopia can develop with long-sighted people however short-sighted people may benefit for a short period by being able to read without spectacles.

Diagnosis:

If you are experiencing symptoms of presbyopia, please visit your optician for a thorough eye examination where a diagnosis will then be made. If you are diagnosed with presbyopia, the optician’s report will show numbers next to the ‘Add’ section underneath or next to the main prescription which will always be a ‘+’ number ranging from 1 to 3.

Treatment:

Presbyopia is a common problem and has a significant impact on daily life. Reading glasses, bifocal or varifocul lenses can be prescribed to correct this refractive error. However at Laservision, we offer a wide range of solutions to reverse the effects of presbyopia and improve reading vision. As reported in the news recently, the revolutionary Kamra™ Inlay treatment, available at LaserVision, can provide an effective solution for the 23 million sufferers of presbyopia in Britain. The KAMRA™  Inlay is a mini ring with an opening in the centre which works by blocking the amount of peripheral light that enters the eye and so focusing the wearers vision, therefore restoring near/ intermediate eyesight. Read more about the KAMRA™ Inlay.

We also offer two more vision correction treatment options for presbyopia which include  NuVu™ Refractive Lens Exchange and Laser Vision Correction with blended vision. Your LaserVision consultant surgeon can expertly guide you through the best treatments for you. Each of the above solutions is an effective way of treating presbyopia but the treatment has to be personalised to achieve the best results.

If you would like to talk to us about potential treatment options to correct your presbyipia, please call us on 03 333 555 777 or book your consultation with us online.