Can Laser Eye Surgery Treat the Loss of Reading Vision?
When it happens to you, the loss of reading vision can feel like an incredibly personal problem. But presbyopia (ageing eyes) is a common eye problem that will eventually be experienced by almost all of us.
For most, the typical solution to this irritating stage of the ageing process is to pick up a pair of cheap reading glasses from a pharmacy or supermarket. Others might opt to fork out a bit more and pay for a more stylish pair of specs from an optician. But eventually, most will tire of the on-off routine of their new accessories.
So, is there a better way? Or more to the point: Can Laser Eye Surgery Treat the Loss of Reading Vision?
Laser Eye Surgery for Reading Vision
The loss of reading vision – or near vision in general – is largely considered a natural part of the ageing process. It occurs as the eyes begin to age, causing the muscles around the lens to weaken and the lens itself to become less flexible. As a result, we may need to strain more to focus on objects near to us, such as words on a page. This process is known as presbyopia, or ageing eyes.
Reading glasses are, no doubt, an effective solution to the loss of reading and close-up vision. But the fact remains that external visual aids simply mask the problem as opposed to dealing with it at the source. In other words, they allow you to rent back your vision, not own it.
Thankfully, there is another option. At London Vision Clinic, we have been treating patients with presbyopia for years, thanks to a revolutionary technique called PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision.
Understanding PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision and Monovision
The PRESBYOND technique builds on an older method of vision correction, known as monovision. The “monovision” technique works by correcting one eye for distance and the other eye for near vision. This method can help patients to focus effectively across all distances; however, figures suggest that monovision may only be tolerated in around 60% of patients.
In contrast, PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision is an effective solution for many more people, with up to 97% of people able to tolerate this method of correction. Moreover, monovision correction surgery typically involves replacing the natural lenses with artificial lenses. This technique is more invasive than laser correction, which could mean an increased risk of complications.
How Does PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision Work?
Like in monovision correction, PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision corrects each eye differently: One eye is corrected to focus on objects mostly at a distance, but also with a little up close, while the other eye is corrected to view objects mainly up close but a little at a distance.
The brain is then able to combine the two images, creating a “blend zone” between the two. This creates a clear image across all distances, without the need to strain!
For most patients, this means being able to ditch the pesky reading glasses or multi-focal contacts for years to come!
In the video above, expert Laser Eye Surgeon, Mr Glenn Carp, explains how the loss of reading vision can be treated with Laser Eye Surgery.
Can I have Laser Blended Vision in any Laser Eye Surgery clinic?
It is often said that Laser Eye Surgery cannot correct presbyopia, and for a long time, this was true. However, despite PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision being available at London Vision Clinic for over 10 years, the treatment is not offered at all Laser Eye Surgery providers.
Rather than being a limitation of Laser Eye Surgery itself, this is usually a reflection of the technology and expertise available at any given clinic. In contrast, London Vision Clinic is continually at the forefront of Laser Eye Surgery advancement, often offering state-of-the-art treatments before any other clinic in the UK.
Eventually, almost everyone will have to face the prospect of wearing reading glasses for their ageing vision. But it is important to remember that there is another solution.
If you’d like to learn more about PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision at the London Vision Clinic, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators or Book a Consultation today!