Treating presbyopia in Melbourne
Dr Anton van Heerden explains what PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision is and how it works
Presbyopia explained
Everything you need to know about presbyopia
Have your eyes started changing since you turned 45 years old? Have you lost the ability to adjust from distance vision to near vision and find that you now need reading glasses almost all the time? Are you getting frustrated wearing reading glasses or multifocal glasses?
You probably have presbyopia which is the normal ageing process of the eyes and starts happening to everybody around the age of 45-50 years of age. This is when most people experience this notable difference in their vision and the optimum laser eye surgery age.
The eye’s lens can change shape (a process known as accommodation) to maintain a clear image or focus on an object as its distance varies.
However, the lens’ ability to change shape declines over time because of a natural loss of elasticity. Presbyopia is the result of these changes and occurs when we reach our 40’s and 50’s. This is why reading glasses become necessary – they provide the extra focusing power required to see near objects. However, thanks to procedures like LASIK surgery and refractive surgery, getting rid of reading glasses despite your age is still possible.
To diagnose presbyopia, we perform a clinical examination, reading vision assessment and refraction test (a measurement of the eye’s ability to focus).
This enables us to determine how advanced the presbyopia is, the strength of your prescription and any other eye conditions.
Surgical solutions include:
- LASIK laser vision correction with monovision
Laser vision correction (LASIK surgery) is possible once you get over 45 years of age. With “Mono-vision”, we correct one eye for distance vision, and the other for near vision which allows you to see in the distance and read without glasses. This solution is not for everybody, and we recommend you have a “contact lens trial” with this correction to find out if you can tolerate this visual discrepancy. It’s an excellent, safe and simple solution which some people love.
- Presbyond® (Blended Vision) combined with LASIK surgery
With PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision we customise the refraction of both eyes for near and distance, creating a ‘blend zone.’ The blend zone essentially makes it easier for the brain to merge the images of both eyes, thereby achieving binocular vision, e.g. how you get around in your day to day life, with both eyes open and working together.
Presbyond® patients adapt faster, and most are delighted about getting rid of your reading glasses. PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision is tolerated by a high number of patients – up to 97 % (world results).
- Clear lens extraction with multifocal lens implants
Lens extraction is the same surgical procedure as cataract surgery but takes place before an actual cataract (lens opacity) has developed. The surgery is invasive, so has some additional risks when compared to laser surgery.
We replace your natural lens with an artificial lens that remains in your eye forever. The new lens technologies are very good and allow you to see well in the distance, intermediate and near.
The visual results of this surgery are excellent. However, it’s important to understand that we cannot replicate the same vision you had when you were younger.
Clear lens extraction with multifocal lens implants is an excellent solution for patients who are over the age of 50 years of age, need glasses for distance and near vision and have otherwise normal eyes.
Who can our life-changing treatments help?
If you see yourself in how I describe my ideal patients below, we can certainly help you enhance your every waking moment with amazing natural vision
Want to start your next adventure today?
Change how you see the world in 3 easy steps
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I’ll see you before treatment to ensure you’re a good candidate and treat you at my state-of-the-art refractive eye specialist clinic close to Melbourne CBD.
How does it work?
Change how you see the world in 3 easy steps
Links to authoritative resources on PRK
Follow the links below for more information on PRK laser eye surgery
About Eye Laser Specialists
Our experts bring a combined 40 years of eye surgery experience to Melbourne
Dr Anton van Heerden, MBCHB; FRANZCO
Ophthalmologist & Laser Eye Surgeon
Based in Melbourne, but with a reputation that transcends borders, Dr Van Heerden sets the highest bar for laser vision correction surgery in Australia. While his skills and experience are second to none, it is his fun, caring and down to earth nature that truly set’s him apart from the rest. You can sit back and enjoy the journey knowing every detail has been carefully considered.
Dr Edward Roufail, PHD, FRANZCO
Ophthalmologist & Specialist Eye Surgeon
Dr Roufail is an experienced Ophthalmologist with extensive experience in intraocular surgery. He performs well over 500 intraocular surgeries a year treating retinal detachment, diabetic eye disease, surgical macular disease, cataract and refractive surgery.
