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Presbyopia
We can compensate for the lack of near focus caused by the ageing of the eye
An introduction to Presbyopia
Presbyopia is the progressive loss of accommodation capacity. Accommodation is a quick, precise and unintentional act that allows the eye to modify the power of the young lens to see clearly at all distances.
Presbyopia symptoms and lifestyle impacts
Presbyopia is a physiological phenomenon related to age. It is caused by the ageing of the lens which loses its elasticity, gradually stiffens and loses its power of accommodation.
The lens grows from birth to the end of life. As it grows, it becomes:
- Heavier (modification of the optical correction)
- Less transparent (appearance of the cataract)
- Less elastic.
This lack of elasticity prevents the modification of its curvature and causes a lack of accommodation. Hence, the appearance of a blurred view at the usual distance in near vision.
What are presbyopia symptoms?
BEFORE AND AFTER
Presbyopia causes
Presbyopia is the reduction of the power of lens accommodation occurring gradually and manifesting itself from 40 years old. Presbyopia prevents you from seeing close objects.
Presbyopia examination at Clinique de la Vision
A preoperative assessment is essential in refractive surgery. It allows your surgeon to choose the most appropriate surgical technique for you (which may be PRK, LASIK, PRESBYLASIK or implants) and to check the absence of contraindications.
Indeed, even if refractive surgery corrects visual defects (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia), compliance with the contraindications avoids post-operative complications. The quality of the preoperative indication determines the quality of the result. This consultation also helps to answer the patient’s questions.
At Clinique de la Vision, for example, a preoperative consultation includes:
- Measurement of ametropia (visual defect) to be corrected by refraction analysis
- The verification of the “dominant” eye (or “director”) essential when correcting symptoms of presbyopia
- The complete ophthalmic assessment with measurement of the intraocular pressure, examination of the fundus and especially the analysis of the transparency of the lens
- The analysis of corneal morphology (curvature, shape, thickness) thanks to corneal topography eliminates the contraindications to laser surgery and to choose the most appropriate surgical technique for the patient
- Aberrometric examination analysis of the optical quality of the eye
- Calculation of the implant is performed if lens surgery is considered
- Finally, other explorations can be done depending on the context.
It is only at the end of this assessment that a surgeon can make a recommendation. They can then choose the most suitable refractive surgery technique for you.
Finally, the surgeon must clearly explain the advantages, the possible undesirable effects and the expected results of their recommended procedure.
Presbyopia treatment at Clinique de la Vision
Surgeons can correct presbyopia with several laser techniques PRK, LASIK, SMILE or ICL in case of strong presbyopia. Patients can also benefit from a lens surgery with implant placement in case of cataracts.
When we consider surgery for presbyopia, it is crucial to determine ocular dominance plan the treatment. We then correct the dominant eye for distance vision, and the correct the non-dominant eye for near vision.
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FEATURED VIDEO
What is presbyopia?
Presbyopia is linked to the loss of accommodation, that is to say the ability for the eye to focus to see clear close up. This video explains presbyopia, its effects and how to correct it.
TÉMOIGNAGES
“Le jour de l’intervention, je n’ai ressenti aucune gêne et aucune douleur. Après 2 h de repos j’ai pu reprendre mes activités tout à fait normalement. Deux jour après l’intervention il ne subsiste aucune gêne. Je tenais également à insister sur le fait que, contrairement aux idées reçues, ce n’est pas une intervention réservée aux personnes jeunes. J’ai 59 ans et c’est une totale réussite.”
“Le Docteur Albou-Ganem m’a opérée de la presbytie il y a un an, et je suis très heureuse du résultat, plus besoin de lunettes pour lire, même ma vue de loin est bonne. C’est un vrai soulagement pour moi, car j’ai hésité pendant un moment avant de sauter le pas, difficile de prendre une telle décision.”
“Après une opération rapide et sans douleur j’ai quasiment immédiatement remarqué une nette amélioration de ma vue de près et de loin. Au fil des semaines cela n’a fait que se confirmer et je n’ai jamais reporté mes lunettes depuis! Je ressens une telle liberté dans ma vie de tous les jours ainsi qu’une impression d’avoir rajeuni que je recommande à toute personne de le faire sans hésitation si cela leur est possible!”
“Docteur Catherine Albou-Ganem l’a immédiatement dissipée. Contact et confiance se sont installés immédiatement. Ses explications ont été claires, précises et je peux dire que le Jour J de l’opération, j’y suis allé les yeux fermés! Pour les rouvrir quelques heures plus tard avec la vue parfaite d’un homme de 30 ans!”
“L’opération a été un franc succès. J’ai maintenant 10/10e, sachant qu’auparavant j’avais une assez forte myopie (-5 et et -4,5) et un léger astigmatisme.”
“Vous m’avez opérée il y a maintenant plus de deux ans. A part pour conduire et regarder la télévision, et encore… je n’ai plus besoin de lunettes, moi qui n’ai jamais rien vu… Il m’a fallu plusieurs mois pour que ma vue s’adapte. Je tenais donc à vous remercier de cette opération qui a changé ma vie! Plus d’ulcères douloureux dus aux lentilles et la possibilité d’ouvrir les yeux sous l’eau et d’admirer les jolis poissons!”
We have replaced the images of real patients who provided these testimonials to protect their privacy.
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About the author
Doctor Catherine Albou-Ganem
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
I am Catherine Albou-Ganem and I am an ophthalmic surgeon brought up in a family of ophthalmologists. I had a passion for ‘the eye’ and ‘the vision’ from my childhood. This was the subject of my first presentation at school.
Today, I share my refractive surgery activity between the hospital and the private sector.
I am proud to have contributed to the development of new laser refractive surgery techniques that can correct vision defects with accurate, effective and safe results when respecting the indications.
