Presbyopia Treatment
Presbyopia happens. Presbyopia happens to everyone. After the age of 40 the ability of the eye to focus on near objects begins a significant decline such that objects at near become quite blurred. They get progressively worse until 50. If you are nearsighted, you can look over or under your glasses and perhaps avoid reading glasses but the mechanism for presbyopia is universal and highly predictable. This is the bad news.
The good news is that it IS treatable. The first option is simple reading glasses. These glasses are not a substitute for a through eye exam but if the exam shows no problems, over the counter reading glasses are often an ideal solution. Don't forget to get them by the dozen as they never seem to be handy when you need them!
A second option is contact lenses. Either monovision (targeting one eye for near) or bifocal contact lenses. Monovision seems to be better tolerated in women but some men do fine as well and some women don't do well? Go figure! Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus!
The other options are surgical. Three procedures have been approved by the FDA others are Voodoo and the rest are somewhere inbetween.
CK: Conductive Keratoplasty. This procedure is all but dead. Company out of business, bought by someone, poorly supported and not commonly done. Still, in good hands this IS a good procedure. It can reshape the cornea and improve near vision for a period of time. Some get 6 months some more than 5 years. Generally very safe.
LASIK: If you tolerate monovision contact lenses but don't want the hassle, LASIK or PRK may be the answer.
Presbyopic implants. These are off lablel unless you have a cataract. Again in good hands, they can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses for NEAR, FAR and inbetween!
Corneal inlays. Investigational, some promise. May dim vision?
Presbyopic LASIK. Still working out the bugs? This is what the industry has heard for years. Nidek may have figure it out. Best to wait on this. The problem is really in the lens, not the cornea. Laser surgery treats cornea, not lens.
If you would like to reduce or eliminate your need for glasses or contacts, please call 866-295-2020.
Dr. David Malitz
