Squinting at your phone or struggling to read a menu at arm’s length can turn daily moments into frustrating challenges. If you’re 1 of many people dealing with presbyopia, you might be wondering whether LASIK could clear up your close-up vision and free you for good.
Traditional LASIK doesn’t typically correct presbyopia, but there are other LASIK-based procedures and surgical and non-surgical treatment options for presbyopia. If you want to learn about options to manage your symptoms, start by booking an eye exam with your optometrist.
What Is Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a common refractive error that makes it difficult to see things up close. It happens because the lens inside your eye—which normally helps focus light onto the retina for crisp vision—loses its flexibility with age. The result? Difficulty reading things up close, eye strain, and headaches.
You’re not alone. According to the National Eye Institute, everyone gets presbyopia at some point, typically sometime after they turn 45. It often progresses into the mid-60s and then stabilizes. You can confirm a diagnosis by visiting your optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam.
What Is LASIK?
LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is an eye surgery designed to correct common refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. A laser is used to reshape the cornea, correcting the abnormal way it bends (refracts) light onto the retina.
LASIK can eliminate the need for glasses and contacts. However, it addresses problems arising from the shape of the cornea, not the stiffening of the inner lens, which is the core issue in presbyopia.
Like any medical procedure, LASIK also comes with risks. These can include dry eyes, astigmatism, and regression (when your vision goes back to the way it was). Not everyone is a suitable candidate for LASIK, so if you’re interested in it, consult with a professional.
LASIK & Presbyopia
Traditional LASIK is not designed to correct presbyopia because the root cause is age-related stiffening of the eye’s natural lens, not a corneal shape problem. Standard LASIK may not provide people with presbyopia the symptom relief they want.
However, 2 LASIK-based procedures may help some patients: monovision LASIK and PresbyLASIK.
Monovision LASIK
Monovision LASIK corrects 1 eye for distance vision (usually the dominant eye) and the other eye for seeing things up close. Interestingly, our brains are often capable of adapting to this change!
However, it’s a good idea to try monovision contact lenses first so you can experience what this feels like before committing to surgery. Not everyone adapts well to this style of vision.
PresbyLASIK
PresbyLASIK is similar to monovision LASIK. It reshapes both corneas to create multifocal effects. This allows each eye to see both near and distant objects.
It’s important to know that LASIK procedures do not guarantee perfect vision. Some people still require reading glasses, and while the procedure is permanent, vision can still deteriorate over time.
Other Presbyopia Treatment Options
LASIK is not the only surgical option, and nonsurgical options like glasses and contact lenses can be simple and effective ways to manage presbyopia.
Eyewear
Glasses and contact lenses don’t permanently alter your eyes’ structures. They’re noninvasive, simple options that many people find accessible. Options include:
- Reading glasses: These glasses are readily available in stores and don’t always require a prescription, but it’s a good idea to first ask your optometrist for your personal magnification power.
- Bifocals and trifocals: These glasses combine near and far vision in 1 lens. For example, the top region of the lens may be optimized for distance vision, while the bottom region is designed for seeing things nearby.
- Progressive lenses: This type of eyewear provides a gradual transition from distance to near vision without visible lines, offering a more natural experience.
- Contact lenses: Discrete and convenient, options include bifocal, multifocal, monovision, and modified monovision lenses.
Surgeries
For those interested in surgical interventions, there are multiple options available:
- SMILE (small-incision lenticule extraction): This is a laser procedure that removes a small piece of corneal tissue. It can be used to create monovision (1 eye optimized for distance; the other for seeing things up close).
- PRK (photorefractive keratectomy): This can be a suitable option for people with astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness and can also create monovision for people with presbyopia.
- Conductive keratoplasty: This procedure involves using radiofrequency energy to alter the curvature of the cornea. Conductive keratoplasty can improve vision, but its benefits may fade over time.
- Refractive lens exchange: Sometimes called an intraocular lens implant, this procedure replaces your natural lens with an artificial lens.
Eye Drops
Pilocarpine eye drops can shrink the pupil, improving depth of focus and near vision. However, there are side effects (such as red eye, headaches, and difficulty seeing at night) and long-term risks that you should discuss with your eye doctor.
Get Presbyopia Eye Care in Santa Cruz
Presbyopia is a normal part of growing older, but you don’t have to settle for blurry text and fuzzy images. If you’re considering ways to correct your near vision, start with a comprehensive eye exam at Santa Cruz Optometric Center.
Our clinic has served the Santa Cruz community for nearly 70 years, and we can help you understand your options and decide which presbyopia treatment fits your lifestyle and needs. Book an appointment today.
