Laser eye surgery for presbyopia works by adjusting each eye to focus at different distances. This is known as ‘blended vision’ or ‘monovision’. One eye is treated for clear distance vision, the other for near or intermediate vision. Over time, your brain adjusts to this setup, reducing your need for reading glasses in everyday situations.

Vision Eye Institute offers laser vision correction for presbyopia using the same lasers and similar procedures to standard laser eye surgery. These include LASIK, SMILE Pro and PRK (also known as ASLA). If you’re a suitable candidate, your ophthalmologist will recommend the best method based on your corneal profile, prescription and eye health.

Laser eye surgery for presbyopia typically suits people aged in their 40s to early 60s without significant cataract development. As laser surgery reshapes the cornea, we’ll do a pre-surgical assessment of your corneal thickness to make sure your eye has enough tissue to stay healthy and stable afterwards. Laser treatment takes around 10 to 15 minutes per eye. The total time at the clinic is about two hours, including preparation and post-procedure observation.

Most people return to everyday activities within a few days. Your brain may take a few weeks to adjust to blended vision laser surgery. During this time, your vision might feel a bit different, but most people soon enjoy getting rid of reading glasses for everyday tasks.

Learn more about laser eye surgery for reading glasses treatment or book a free laser assessment.

PresbyLASER is a broad term used to describe laser vision correction procedures designed to reduce dependence on reading glasses and improve vision for near, intermediate and distance tasks. These treatments work by reshaping the cornea to enhance the eye’s range of focus while preserving the eye’s natural lens.

Several different approaches to presbyopia laser correction have been developed over the years. You may come across names such as PresbyMAX®, PRESBYOND® and other branded technologies when researching treatment options. While the techniques differ, they all share the common goal of improving functional vision across a range of distances and reducing the need for reading glasses.

In some patients, presbyopia laser treatment can also correct underlying refractive errors such as short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism at the same time.

Laser vision correction for presbyopia is typically considered for people over 40 who are finding near tasks such as reading, using digital devices, or viewing menus increasingly difficult. A comprehensive assessment with an ophthalmologist is required to determine whether laser treatment is suitable and which approach may provide the best outcome.

PresbyLASER is currently available at Vision Eye Institute NSW clinics only.

Refractive lens exchange (RLE), also known as lens replacement surgery, replaces your eye’s natural lens with an artificial one. For presbyopia treatment, this could be a multifocal lens or an extended depth of focus (EDoF) lens. Both lenses are designed to give you clear vision at multiple distances.

This type of presbyopia lens surgery works well for those in their late 40s and onwards. It’s also good for people who can’t have laser correction or have early changes in their natural lens. Because your natural lens is replaced with an artificial one, you also won’t develop cataracts in the future. Lens replacement surgery can also help you to get rid of reading glasses or daily eye drops.

There are several lens options available. Your surgeon will recommend the lens that best suits your vision and lifestyle needs. Multifocal lenses can give you several focal points for near, intermediate and distance vision. Extended depth of focus (EDoF) lenses can provide a smooth, wider range of focus. Monofocal lenses can be used for both eyes, setting a fixed distance of focus. However, monofocal lenses are more commonly used for monovision or blended vision, where one eye is set for near vision and the other for distance.

RLE for presbyopia is usually done as two separate day surgery procedures, one for each eye, under local anaesthetic. Most people notice an improvement within one to two days, with full recovery in two to four weeks.

Learn more about lens surgery for reading glasses on our Cataract and Lens Surgery page.

If you find yourself holding books, menus or your phone farther away to read clearly, you might want to think about getting a specialist assessment for presbyopia surgery. This is especially relevant if you’ve ever wondered, ‘Can I get rid of my reading glasses?’.

Presbyopia surgery can reduce or even remove your need for glasses.

While reading glasses or contact lenses are a common way to manage presbyopia, many people look for a long-term presbyopia treatment or another alternative to reading glasses. This may be for professional or lifestyle reasons like sport, hobbies or frequent travel, when glasses can be impractical.

If you’re wondering about treatment for presbyopia, a consultation with a Vision Eye Institute ophthalmologist is the best way to determine whether reading glasses surgery is right for you.

Complications from presbyopia treatment are uncommon. However, as with any surgical or laser procedure, there is some risk involved. The specific risks depend on which procedure you have, whether it’s laser vision correction, PresbyMAX or refractive lens exchange. We will discuss these risks with you in full at your consultation.

Patient safety is at the core of everything we do at Vision Eye Institute. Our In Safe Hands program guides our clinics and day surgeries, with strict infection control practices and regular reviews of quality and safety.

We’re also committed to keeping you informed. Our team will help you understand the benefits and risks of your procedure before you make a decision, and we encourage you to ask questions at every step. Specialist aftercare is available should you need it.

Your ophthalmologist will explain the specific risks relevant to your recommended procedure at your pre-surgery consultation.

As Australia’s largest private provider of ophthalmic services, we are committed to delivering world-class patient care.

Our surgeon group brings deep subspecialty expertise across refractive, corneal, cataract and lens surgery. This depth of experience, in addition to our state-of the art technology, means our ophthalmologists are well placed to manage complex or co-existing eye conditions alongside presbyopia.

At Vision Eye Institute, our mission is to lead in technology and clinical research. Our ophthalmologists are regularly invited to join international trials. They also teach and assess trainees in medicine, optometry and ophthalmology.

Patient safety is at the heart of our work. We are guided by our In Safe Hands clinical quality and safety program.

If you’re looking for a presbyopia specialist or reading glasses specialist, book a consultation with Vision Eye Institute to understand your options.

Presbyopia surgery costs can vary based on several factors, including the type of procedure, the surgeon’s fees, day surgery facility costs and the type of intraocular lens your surgeon recommends (if a lens exchange procedure). Because of these factors, it isn’t possible to provide an exact cost online. However, your ophthalmologist will outline the full cost with you at your consultation, so you have complete clarity before proceeding.