Are you ready for Reading Glasses?

Our eyes change as we get older and eventually most of us will need glasses.

Presbyopia, when the natural lens inside the eye loses its flexibility and causes difficulty seeing objects up close, is part of the natural ageing process. It typically begins after the age of 40 with many people putting up with it and compensating by using larger phone font or stretching at arm’s length to read. Until they decide enough is enough and it is time to announce they are approaching 50 by purchasing a pair of readers or hobby glasses. 

While most presbyopic people will manage with over-the-counter reading glasses, they aren’t ideal for everyone. In order to be economically priced, hobby glasses are a ‘one size fits all’ model; not allowing for different face shapes, differing prescriptions between your eyes, limited refractive powers, astigmatism, or short sightedness and they aren’t made to be long lasting.

Or is there an alternative?

Yes, fortunately there are a number of refractive surgical procedures available to avoid the hassle of wearing glasses and keep you looking as young as you feel. PRESBYOND Laser Blended Vision - is laser eye surgery designed for people with presbyopia. It reduces the need for reading glasses, bifocals and varifocals allowing you to become less dependent on spectacles to see objects that are up close and at a distance. 

No more switching back and forth between distant and near glasses, misplacing glasses, or embarrassingly having to borrow your partner’s readers to see the menu at the cafe. 

With Laser Blended Vision the laser eye surgery uses the same equipment as for LASIK, blade free femtosecond and excimer laser technology. The difference is that the vision of your two eyes is blended together - targeting better near vision in one eye and better distance vision in the other, to provide good vision over the full range, eliminating the need for all types of glasses. The procedure is performed as day surgery at Bowen Eye Clinic and recovery time is short with mild discomfort and slightly blurred vision for up to 5 hours. 

Since it was introduced in 2005, thousands of people have regained high quality vision, with over 98%  of people who have had PRESBYOND Laser Blended Vision able to read normal newsprint.

Is Laser Eye Surgery recommended after the age of 50?

Some people assume that there is an age limit to having laser eye surgery, but the only age limit is that it is recommended that you are over the age of 21 years as our eyes have stopped developing by then. (LASIK is approved by the FDA for anyone aged 18 years or over)

Suitability for laser eye surgery depends on your refraction (the strength of your glasses or contact lenses), a stable eye prescription, your eye health, corneal shape, and the clarity of the natural lens inside the eye. 

Laser Blended Vision tends to last 10-20 years and can be further adjusted with an enhancement as the eyes age. 

What if my eyes are not suitable for Laser Blended Vision?

At around the age of 65 your eyes begin to change again with age-related vision problems such as cataracts developing and you may no longer be a good candidate for LASIK. Fortunately, there is another option - Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE). This procedure is an early cataract operation that replaces the eye’s natural lens with a lens implant. Implantable lenses can minimise or eliminate your need for corrective eyewear to clearly see up-close objects. Refractive Lens Exchange is an alternative to LASIK for people with extreme farsightedness and mild to moderate nearsightedness and also an effective treatment for those with ageing eyes. 

If you’re ready to enjoy hobbies again without needing hobby glasses and interested in discussing whether you are a good candidate for PRESBYOND Laser Blended Vision or Refractive Lens Exchange find out more by contacting Bowen Eye Clinic for an assessment 0800 69 2020 or info@boweneye.co.nz