Surgical Options for Correcting Reading Vision in New Jersey
Regardless of whether you have farsightedness, nearsightedness or astigmatism, at some point in your life, usually after the age of 40, your eyes will develop presbyopia, the age-related loss of reading vision. The condition occurs when the lens inside the eye begins to age and becomes stiffer over time, thereby losing its ability to focus properly on close objects. In the United States, presbyopia affects more than 60 million individuals, with baby boomers compromising the largest segment of the presbyopic population.
The most common symptoms associated with presbyopia include:
- Difficulty reading fine print
- Difficulty reading in poor-light environments
- Constant dependence on prescription glasses for up-close vision
In the past, the most effective treatment for presbyopia was the use of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, at InVision EyeCare, we offer two surgical options to our New Jersey presbyopia patients, including:
Monovision Blended LASIK – In this procedure, a laser is used to correct the dominant eye for distance vision and the other eye for near and intermediate vision. Utilizing both eyes, the human brain is then able to blend the images together to provide an improved depth of focus. Following the procedure, it may take several weeks for the patient to adapt to his or her new vision. However this procedure is excellent for improving near-point vision in patients who have presbyopia.
Near Vision Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) – Near Vision CK is a procedure that corrects presbyopia through the use of radiofrequency (RF) energy. During the procedure, a small probe thinner than a stand of human hair is used to direct radiofrequency waves to the surface of the eye in a circular pattern, thereby shrinking small areas of corneal tissue. This helps create a constrictive band, increasing the overall curvature of the cornea. The results that can be attained with NearVision CK are similar to wearing a bifocal contact lens.
The best candidates for CK are individuals over the age of 40 who are forced to wear eyeglasses for close-up vision. Patients must have had stable vision for at least a year and must not have had previous eye surgery. In addition, those who suffer from chronic eye disorders or any other serious diseases should not consider this procedure. A preoperative exam is necessary to determine the candidacy of each patient.
Near Vision CK is performed under topical anesthesia. Vision after CK begins to improve after about one week and patients are able to return to their daily activities within one or two days. To learn more about CK, please visit our page dedicated to this topic. To learn about presbyopia, please click here.
To schedule a consultation appointment, please contact InVision EyeCare at (732) 905-5600.