At age 45, developing presbyopia is normal, as it marks the stage when the eye's ability to focus on near objects gradually diminishes. This means that if you only undergo myopia surgery to achieve clear distance vision, you might still need to use glasses for reading or using your phone at close range.

Beyond conventional myopia surgery, advanced techniques now exist that simultaneously address both myopia and presbyopia. Among these, the Presbyond (laser blended vision) method stands out.

Simply put, Presbyond uses a laser on the cornea, similar to myopia surgery. However, instead of correcting two eyes for the same distance vision, surgeons intentionally adjust one eye for excellent distance vision and the other eye to support near vision, while also expanding the intermediate vision zone. Surgeons precisely calculate this difference, allowing the brain to adapt and combine images from two eyes, helping you see comfortably at various distances without feeling "off-balance".

A doctor performs presbyopia surgery. *Illustration: Tam Anh General Hospital*.

A major benefit of this method is its non-invasive nature, preserving the natural lens. This makes it particularly suitable for individuals in your age group who have not developed cataracts. Post-surgery, many experience reduced dependence on glasses for daily activities such as computer work, driving, or using their phone.

However, because the mechanism relies on the brain's ability to adapt, you will first undergo a trial experience using contact lenses and glasses to determine suitability for the "one eye far - one eye near" approach. Some individuals might need a short adjustment period or could notice a slight reduction in vision quality in low-light conditions.

At your age, while myopia-only surgery would immediately resolve the need for distance vision, it would not prevent the later progression of presbyopia. In contrast, methods like Presbyond enable a proactive approach, aiming for multi-distance vision and long-term reduced reliance on glasses. The choice of method will depend on your specific visual needs and the results of a comprehensive eye examination.

Master, Doctor Luong Thi Anh Thu

High-Tech Eye Center

Tam Anh General Hospital

Readers can submit questions about ophthalmological conditions here for doctors to answer.