Presbyopia is a common age-related change in the eye that makes it increasingly difficult to focus on nearby objects, such as books, phones, or computer screens. It usually becomes noticeable from the mid-40s as the natural lens gradually loses flexibility. Presbyopia can be managed in several ways, including reading glasses, bifocal or progressive lenses, multifocal contact lenses, and, for appropriately selected patients, surgical options such as laser-based correction or multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
At Jamsil Samsung Eye Clinic, Dr. Cha Deok Sun, a board-certified ophthalmologist, provides care related to presbyopia and cataract surgery. The clinic’s evaluation includes assessment of near and distance vision as well as the cornea, retina, and refractive status to determine which correction approach may be appropriate. For patients who also have cataracts, multifocal IOL surgery may address both cataract and presbyopia during the same procedure. However, multifocal lens surgery is not suitable for everyone, and factors such as overall eye health, corneal and retinal condition, existing eye problems, and realistic expectations need to be considered.
The goal of presbyopia care is not necessarily to eliminate glasses for every patient, but to identify an appropriate way of managing the changes in near vision. Some patients may be adequately managed with glasses, while others may be considered for surgical correction after a detailed examination. Surgical options can also have potential effects such as glare, halos, residual refractive error, or other complications, so understanding the benefits, limitations, alternatives, and recovery process is an important part of making an informed decision.