Presbyopia

Eventually, Ageing Eyes Catch Up with Us All

No matter how sharp your eyesight once was, presbyopia is a reality that comes for nearly everyone over 40. One day, your vision feels just fine, the next, you’re holding your phone at arm’s length or squinting at a restaurant menu under dim lighting.

The culprit? A natural part of ageing that makes near vision more difficult, often forcing us to rely on reading glasses or costly varifocal lenses. For many Kiwis, this shift feels sudden and inconvenient, especially if you’ve never needed glasses before.

But while presbyopia may be inevitable, living with it doesn’t have to be.

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What Is Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is the gradual loss of your eye’s ability to focus on close objects. It happens when the lens of the eye becomes thicker and less flexible with age. In younger eyes, the lens can change shape easily to focus on different distances. As we age, the lens hardens, making near vision blurry.

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Common Symptoms of Presbyopia

You may be experiencing presbyopia if you notice:

• Blurry vision while reading or using your phone
• Eyestrain, especially after close-up tasks
• Headaches when doing fine visual work
• Holding books or menus further away to see clearly
• More difficulty focusing on low light

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How Is Presbyopia Diagnosed?

A comprehensive eye exam can confirm presbyopia. Your optometrist may perform:

• A visual acuity test
• A refraction test to assess your lens prescription
• Slit lamp and retinal examinations to rule out other conditions

While there’s no “cure” for presbyopia, there are excellent solutions to manage it, including options that can reduce or eliminate the need for reading glasses.

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Treatment Options for Presbyopia

Non-Surgical Correction

Many people begin with glasses or contact lenses such as:

• Reading glasses (over the counter or prescription)
• Progressive or bifocal lenses
• Multifocal or monovision contact lenses

These can work well, but they’re not for everyone, especially those seeking greater freedom from glasses or contact lenses

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Tired of juggling reading glasses? There’s a better way: LASER Blended Vision

We offer LASER Blended Vision, a leading-edge treatment developed by ZEISS. This procedure works by gently reshaping the cornea using state of the art laser technology to create a blend zone between both eyes:

• One eye is corrected for distance
• The other eye for near vision
• The brain blends both images for seamless clarity across all distances

Most people adapt quickly and are amazed at how natural the change feels. The result? Sharper vision without the daily hassle of glasses or contact lenses.

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Why Choose Us?

For over 35 years, we’ve been helping New Zealanders protect and enhance their vision with world-class technology and personalised care. Our theatres use ZEISS industry leading technology and strict safety protocols to ensure:

• Exceptional precision
• Outstanding outcomes
• Fast, comfortable procedures

Take the Next Step Toward Visual Freedom

Presbyopia may be part of growing older, but struggling with blurry vision doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re just noticing the signs or already juggling multiple pairs of glasses, our team can help you reclaim crisp, close-up vision.

Book your assessment today and discover if LASER Blended Vision is right for you.

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