How Long Does it Take to Get Used to Laser Blended Vision?

Presbyopia is age-related eye condition that will one day affect us all. Translating flatteringly to “old eye” from Latin, presbyopia is an inevitable part of the eyes’ ageing process, in which the lenses become less flexible and the muscles become weaker over time. As a result, your ability to focus on near objects begins to deteriorate, making it increasingly difficult to read small print of perform close-up tasks. Moreover, straining to bring your vision into focus can cause secondary symptoms such as eye fatigue and headaches.

Traditionally, the only solution to this age-related vision loss was the use of external visual aids. Reading glasses remain the most popular option due to their wide availability and accessible price points. Varifocal contact lenses are another popular option. However, in recent years, surgical interventions have offered an alternative.

First came monovision surgery, a procedure in which synthetic lenses are implanted into the eye. While this treatment can be extremely effective, it is not suitable for everyone, with only around 60% able to tolerate the monovision lenses. More recently, PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision was developed as a more tolerable option.

But how long does it take to get used to laser blended vision? Let’s find out.

How Does PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision Work?

PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision was developed in 2004 by our founder and expert laser eye surgeon, Professor Dan Reinstein. The treatment builds on existing Laser Eye Surgery procedures traditionally used to correct refractive errors such as long-sightedness (hyperopia), short-sightedness (myopia), and astigmatism.

It involves using an ultra-precise laser to remove a portion of tissue from the eye, effectively reshaping the cornea. This changes the way light is refracted into the eye. However, PRESBYOND differs slightly in that each eye is adjusted differently: The dominant eye is adjusted to focus mainly up close with a little distance, while the other eye is corrected mainly up close with a little distance.

When combined, the two corrections create a “blend zone”. The brain is able to take the images from each eye and combine them to create clear vision across all distances: Near, intermediate, and distance!

Studies have shown that this method of presbyopia correction is much more tolerable than monovision. In fact, up to 97% of people are able to tolerate PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision. However, it can take some time to fully adapt to this new way of seeing. Which brings us to the question at hand…

How long will it take me to adapt to PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision?

Following your PRESBYOND treatment, your eye will begin to heal straight away. The corneal flap that was created during the procedure to allow your surgeon to remove tissue from the eye will begin to fuse to the surrounding epithelium and you will be able to resume many normal activities within a day or two. However, while the healing of the eye can be surprisingly speedy, your full recovery can be significantly longer.

That’s because your brain needs time to learn how to process this new way of seeing – effectively, merging the separate images from your two eyes. The time it takes to adapt to this new vision can vary significantly from patient to patient.

Some people may be able to adapt extremely quickly, within just a few days; however, for some it may take up to 6-12 months to fully adapt to blended vision. During this time, it is normal to also experience Laser Eye Surgery side effects such as dry eyes and vision fluctuations. Your clinic should monitor these symptoms and provide adequate aftercare, such as lubricating eye drops, to minimise their impact.

If you’d like to learn more about PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators. Alternatively, to find out if you could be suitable for treatment, Book a Consultation by completing the form below.