[Presbyopia correction by refractive laser surgery].

Abstract

Presbyopia is caused by the loss of accommodation of the human lens due to the aging process. Refractive laser surgery of the cornea cannot address the cause of presbyopia, but may be used to decrease the need for glasses. There are two options typically used and frequently combined.The first option is monovision, more precisely "mini-monovision", which means targeting one eye, typically the distant-dominant eye, for emmetropia, and the other eye for low myopia (about - 1 to - 1,5 D). The second option is the use of special ablation algorithms which induce spherical aberration of the cornea to increase the depth of focus in both eyes. Both options offer about a 1.5 D range of focus. If combined, this range of focus can be further increased to provide good reading and distance vision without glasses with slightly reduced stereopsis and contrast sensitivity only.Both mini-monovision and significant spherical aberration are not tolerated by everyone. It is therefore essential to test acceptance of both prior to presbyopia-correcting corneal laser surgery, e.g., using contact lenses. In addition, it is important to inform patients that the effect of this surgery is not lasting, as the aging process of the human lens continues, which results in slow changes of refraction.In conclusion, presbyopia-correcting corneal laser surgery is an effective tool in selected patients to reduce spectacle dependence with few side effects.