Presbyopic Treatment

Throughout life, the crystalline lens gradually loses its natural elasticity. This elasticity, called accomodation, allows us to alternate between far and near vision. The loss of accommodation (presbyopia) is part of the natural aging process of the eyes and affects everyone over 40.

Why should we settle for “monovision”?

Until very recently, “monovision” was the only option to compensate for the effects of presbyopia by laser surgery. Monovision aims at correcting one eye (dominant) for distance vision and at leaving the other eye slightly under-corrected to provide clear near vision.

However, monovision compromises the quality of vision when using both eyes (binocular vision):

• Each eye sees clearly at only one distance (one eye is adjusted for distance vision and the other one for near vision), this can affect the quality of intermediate vision.
• The visual perception of depth is affected.
• The blurred vision in one eye can induce perception of halos around lights at night.

The aspheric profile

Thanks to Zeiss MEL-80™ Laser, the IRIS Ophthalmology Clinic offers the Presbyopic Laser Treatment, which uses a hyperaspheric laser treatment. This ablation profile is applied on the non-dominant eye after it has been corrected for distance to increase the range of clear vision. Thus, it allows for both near and intermediate vision, while preserving the quality of binocular distance vision.

To be a good candidate for this corrective option, you must be willing to accept a slight difference in vision between both eyes.

In addition to that, you may need to use prescription corrective lenses to enhance your vision when you do precision tasks (e. g., driving at night, reading small prints, extended near tasks).

Crystalline lens replacement with an intraocular lens

If the ophthalmologist and optometrist notice a contraindication to laser surgery, they will suggest a solution which might suit your personality and lifestyle; the replacement of your crystalline lens with a multifocal or intraocular lens (IOL). This procedure can be considered when your crystalline lens has significantly lost its ability to accomodate.

Learn more about the different options to correct presbyopia with an introcular lens.