Laser correction of presbyopia

According to the data from the Centre for Public Opinion Research, 85% of Polish people don’t know what presbyopia is – despite the fact that every single one of us is bound to suffer from it. Presbyopia typically onsets during the fifth decade of life and its first manifestations are often connected with difficulties with close vision, especially in poor lighting. As it progresses, it leads to problems with everyday actions such as reading, using computer or cell phone. Presbyopia is a physiological process which no one can avoid – it is a consequence of aging, just like grey hair and wrinkles. How to correct it?

One of the most commonly used solutions are reading glasses, or, should concomitant hyperopia, myopia or astigmatism occur, two pairs of glasses. Progressive glasses which enable clear vision at near and far distances are also an option. However, using 2 pairs of glasses can be problematic, especially while spending time actively. Our solution for those who suffer from myopia is achieving monovision via excimer laser correction. In such case a small defect (up to -1,75D) is left in one eye – this is the eye that will be used for reading and the defect in the other eye is corrected totally – this eye will be used for distant vision. It practically means that the dominant eye becomes responsible for distant vision while the other eye ‘takes care’ of near vision. It is very important to remember that laser correction only treats the effects of presbyopia and does not treat presbyopia itself – which as a physiological process is untreatable. As the time passes you probably will need stronger reading glasses.

Very rarely one may encounter an advertisement of procedures such as PresbyLASIK or IntraCOR - usually issued by clinics which do not have sufficient experience in following the effects of their treatment. Such procedures result in transient improvement in near vision and loss of acuity in distant vision (which is necessary for driving). After few years, near vision will deteriorate (due to natural aging processes) and having two pairs of glasses will become a necessity.
 

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