Presbyopia Treatment Options

Reading glasses are the oldest and still the most frequent treatment for age-related loss of near vision. When people reach mid-life they start to notice blurriness in their near vision. This is presbyopia and it is a progressive condition. It is estimated that about 90 million Americans suffer from presbyopia and as the baby boomer generation continues to age, the incidence will increase.

Presbyopia Symptoms

Not everyone experiences presbyopia symptoms other than blurry near vision. However, after extended reading, computer work or other close-up activities, many people notice eyestrain, fatigue or headaches. These symptoms tell you that your eyes are changing and need some attention.

Eyewear For Presbyopia

Most commonly, bifocals, trifocals, progressive addition lenses (PALs), or contact lenses are used to correct presbyopia.

Bifocals have two distinct areas in the lenses with a relatively small area set for close vision at the base of each lens.
Trifocals have the areas for near and distance vision plus a middle area for intermediate vision.
PALs can be either bifocal or trifocal and the areas on the lens are blended into each other. This eliminates the “image jump” that happens when you move your focus from one lens area to another.
Multifocal contact lenses give clarity at all distances and if you have astigmatism as well as presbyopia, there are some contact lenses that correct both.

Surgical treatments for Presbyopia

Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)

CK is a type of refractive surgery that uses radio waves to steepen the corneal curvature. The FDA approved it for treating hyperopia in 2002 and presbyopia in 2004. The radio waves are applied using a pen-sized probe and directed to the corneal periphery. The mild heat shrinks peripheral tissue, which has the effect of tightening it, and this steepens the curvature. You can read more on our Conductive Keratoplasty page.

Clear Lens Exchange (CLE)

CLE is also known as Refractive Lens Exchange or Lens Replacement Surgery. It is a surgery which replaces the eye’s natural lens with an artificial lens known as an intraocular lens (IOL). There are several IOLs that have FDA approval for use in CLE and, using different technologies, they may provide clear near, intermediate and distance vision. CLE is a treatment for cataracts as well as for presbyopia.

For more information on Presbyopia, please see What Causes Presbyopia? and Possible Future Presbyopia treatments.

To find out more about presbyopia treatments, please contact an experienced ophthalmologist in your area.