PresbyLASIK is a surgical technique for presbyopic visual correction using Excimer LASER ablation.
Singapore and India offer the treatment now and Canada and the USA have advanced clinical trials, which are showing promising results.
PresbyLASIK treatment uses the principles of LASIK surgery to create a multifocal corneal surface aimed at reducing near vision spectacle dependence in presbyopic patients. Among the presbyLASIK techniques, the Excimer LASER ablation creates a central area, which is hyperpositive for near vision leaving the midperipheral cornea for far vision
During recent clinical trials using modified monovision with PresbyLASIK, 91.3 percent of all patients no longer needed to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses. Among nearsighted (myopic) patients, 92 percent no longer needed glasses or contact lenses. Of those who were farsighted (hyperopic), 89 percent were spectacle-free.
This study involved 75 patients with myopia and 28 with hyperopia; average age was 53.3 years. Standard wavefront-guided LASIK provided monocular (single vision) distance vision in the dominant eye, and presbyLASIK for vision at multiple distances was used to correct the nondominant eye. Results are after 1.2 years to 3.9 years of followup. Statistics apply to use of both eyes together, or binocular vision. (Reported July 2008 in Journal of Refractive Surgery.)
If you develop cataracts after multifocal LASIK surgery, you will still be able to have cataract surgery. But changes made to your cornea during the LASIK procedure make it a bit more challenging for your cataract surgeon to determine the correct power for your intraocular lens to give you a perfect visual outcome after cataract surgery.
It’s possible you may need to wear eyeglasses after cataract surgery or you may need additional corneal refractive surgery to regain acceptable vision for driving and/or reading without glasses.
Finally, there is no guarantee that results of your multifocal LASIK surgery will be permanent. If your eyes change as the years go by after your LASIK surgery, future surgical enhancements may be needed. Another possible complication associated with the procedure can include an inability to see as well as you once did, even with the help of glasses or contact lenses after surgery
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.