Medically Reviewed by: Edward C. Wade, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Can Presbyopia be Corrected with LASIK?
Can presbyopia be corrected LASIK? While presbyopia cannot be corrected with the standard LASIK procedure specifically, there is a type of laser surgery called Monovision LASIK that can provide relief from presbyopia (if farsightedness is your only issue). Learn more about presbyopia surgery in Houston and what treatment options are best for you.
Prefer to speak with one of Houston’s best optometrists directly rather than reading articles? Contact Eye Center of Texas! We are happy to explain treatment options and answer any questions you may have, such as: If you wear bifocals, can you get LASIK?
What is presbyopia?
If you’re over 40 years old and find it difficult to see up close without squinting or creating distance with an outstretched arm, then you likely have presbyopia. Don’t worry, it’s one of the most common vision problems.
Almost everyone experiences presbyopia to some extent later in life. What causes presbyopia? Age! Your eyes lose their flexibility to easily adjust to different distances.
Understanding Monovision LASIK
Monovision LASIK, also known as blended vision LASIK, is a refractive surgery in which one eye (typically your dominant eye) is corrected while the other eye is made partially nearsighted, also known as blended vision LASIK. Your brain connects the dots to provide you with a clear image, helping to improve near vision and distance vision.
As your eyes continue to age, the cornea may require further reshaping with other forms of LASIK surgery to maintain perfect vision. Glasses or contacts can also be added down the road if necessary.
Should I get Monovision LASIK for presbyopia?
Once people know the answer to the question Can presbyopia be corrected LASIK? the follow-up question tends to be: am I a candidate for Monovision LASIK?
So long as your eyes are healthy in general (no chronic conditions) and your corneas have the minimum thickness necessary for laser eye surgery, you are likely a good candidate health-wise for LASIK. Even if you develop near vision after a previous LASIK procedure, laser treatment for presbyopia after LASIK may still be possible.
That said, many people benefit from trying Monovision contact lenses before opting to get Monovision LASIK. Doing so can help you see whether you can adjust to Monovision successfully, or if you find it uncomfortable.
It’s important to keep in mind that most presbyopia treatments do involve some form of compromise.
- If you choose monovision, although your vision may work well for almost all purposes, it might take some time to adjust, and some people never feel entirely comfortable with the change.
- If you have both eyes corrected for either nearsightedness or farsightedness, you will need glasses or contact lenses to compensate for whichever distance you did not choose.
If these options don’t sound attractive, that’s OK. Sometimes reading glasses or contact lenses are the best choice to correct presbyopia and other times surgery makes the most sense.
Additional types of presbyopia treatments
Refractive Lens Exchange
Refractive lens exchange (RLE) is a procedure in which a doctor replaces your eye’s natural lens with a synthetic, intraocular lens rather than reshaping the cornea. RLE is a more permanent solution than Monovision LASIK and provides near vision and distant vision simultaneously in both eyes.
Monovision LASIK is considered less invasive than RLE, but both procedures have high satisfaction levels. An in-depth presbyopia surgery in Houston consultation can help determine which style you may be a better candidate for, which presbyopia lens is right for you (if applicable), and provide more info about the results you can expect.
Monovision LASIK at Eye Center of Texas
So, can presbyopia be corrected with LASIK? Monovision LASIK can provide surgical correction for presbyopia, but it’s best to consult with a professional to see whether this option is right for you.
At Eye Center of Texas, it’s our goal to improve the quality of your life and give you the best vision possible. The desire with Monovision LASIK is that you will have perfect vision and never need to wear glasses again following surgery.
To discover which presbyopia treatment option is right for you, call us at 713-797-1010 or schedule an appointment online at any of our many Houston-area locations.
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Our Locations
Houston/Bellaire
6565 W. Loop S., Suite 650Bellaire, TX 77401
Medical Office:
713-797-1010
Medical Fax:
713-357-7276
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Fax: 713-357-7278
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455 E. Medical Center Blvd., Suite 110Webster, TX 77598
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Greenhouse Medical Plaza2051 Greenhouse Road, Suite 110
Houston, TX 77084
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281-214-2971
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100 Medical Center Blvd., Suite 118Conroe, TX 77304
Medical Office:
936-647-1610
Medical Fax:
936-647-1620