From the age of 40, presbyopia often begins to emerge, bringing challenges such as blurry vision for close objects; difficulty seeing in low-light conditions; eye strain, and headaches. These symptoms may also lead to squinting while reading, contributing to wrinkles around the eyes and forehead. Beyond impacting vision, these issues affect daily life and facial aesthetics.
Presbyopia Treatment with PresbyMAX at FV’s Ophthalmology & Refractive Surgery Centre
Presbyopia surgeries are quick and effective, taking just 15 minutes to perform. They are pain-free and restore sharp vision swiftly, allowing patients to enjoy clear eyesight once again.
For over a year, Ms Hanh, born in 1983 and a Vietnamese-American, experienced fluctuating vision, particularly on nearby objects, which greatly impacted her daily life and work. During a recent visit to Vietnam to see her family, she sought an eye examination at FV Hospital. Dr Nguyen Thi Mai, Specialist Level II – Head of the Ophthalmology & Refractive Surgery Department, diagnosed her with presbyopia—a common condition caused by the natural ageing of the eyes, typically affecting those aged 40 and above.
Ms Hanh was recommended for presbyopia surgery, which proved to be quicker and simpler than she had anticipated. “The procedure was brief and straightforward. I was discharged immediately without needing to stay at the hospital. The doctor advised me not to rub my eyes and to avoid water, soap, or facial cleansers near my eyes during the first week. With the prescribed eye drops, my vision gradually recovered,” she shared. Within a week, her near vision had significantly improved, which was crucial for her work-related tasks.
Similarly, Ms V. Serley, born in 1982 and a Filipino national working in education, experienced blurred vision when reading charts, numbers, and viewing computer screens. After a routine health check-up at another medical centre, she was referred to FV Hospital for further evaluation. Dr Mai conducted an examination and recommended presbyopia surgery. The procedure was completed smoothly in just 15 minutes. Within a week, Ms Serley had regained clear near vision, allowing her to easily read numbers, product labels, and advertisements, and teach effectively without difficulty.
Dr Mai examines Ms V. Serley’s eyes after presbyopia surgery
“Before coming to FV, I thoroughly researched the Ophthalmology & Refractive Surgery Department, especially Dr Mai, who is known for her expertise and dedication to her patients. As expected, at FV, I received thorough consultations and meticulous care. The surgery was smooth, making the entire experience very comfortable,” Ms. Serley shared enthusiastically.
Causes of Presbyopia in Middle-Aged Individuals
According to Dr Nguyen Thi Mai, presbyopia is a natural aging process of the eyes that typically begins around the age of 40 and gradually worsens until about 65. This condition occurs as the crystalline lens inside the eye becomes thicker and loses elasticity and flexibility, reducing the eye’s ability to focus, making it difficult to read or see nearby objects clearly.
In addition to age-related factors, certain conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and cardiovascular diseases, along with the use of specific medications like antidepressants, antihistamines, and diuretics, can increase the risk of developing early-onset presbyopia (under 40 years old).
The signs of presbyopia develop gradually, with blurred vision, especially for nearby objects, being the most common symptom. Patients often need to hold objects farther away to see them clearly. Other symptoms include difficulty seeing at night or in low-light conditions, eye strain, headaches, and trouble reading, often requiring squinting to focus.
“If left untreated, presbyopia can lead to progressively reduced vision, significantly affecting quality of life. Patients may encounter difficulties maintaining their activity levels, productivity at work, and daily routines,” noted Dr Mai.
Currently, the two primarily treatments for presbyopia are glasses and surgery. Glasses can effectively enhance vision for both near and far distances, however, they may not be able to fully address severe presbyopia or cases with concurrent refractive errors such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism. In such instances, patients often need different pairs of glasses for various distances, which can be inconvenient. As a result, surgical treatment has become a preferred option for many individuals with presbyopia.
Presbyopia surgery involves correcting one eye for clear distance vision by fully eliminating near-sightedness, while the other eye is treated to create a multifocal cornea, enabling clear vision for near, intermediate, and far distances. The combined effect allows patients to see clearly across all visual ranges without relying on glasses.
Patients are anesthetized before undergoing presbyopia surgery using the PresbyMAX technology.
FV Hospital currently utilizes the advanced PresbyMAX technology for treating presbyopia. This laser technique adjusts the optical zone on the cornea, personalised for each individual to enhance the eye’s depth of focus. It reshapes the cornea to function like a multifocal lens, enabling patients to see both near and far, optimising vision for daily activities. The procedure takes only 15–20 minutes, is gentle and painless, and involves numbing eye drops administered beforehand.
This innovative method is offered at only a few major centres in Vietnam and is recognised for its high safety and rapid results. Notably, it also has the added benefit of correcting other refractive errors, including myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism.
One week after presbyopia surgery, patients typically regain clear vision for close range objects
Dr Mai notes that the effects of presbyopia surgery typically last for about 7 to 10 years, depending on the individual’s rate of ageing.
Additionally, the effectiveness of the surgery can vary depending on each individual’s physical condition. Therefore, patients are encouraged to have a consultation to receive detailed advice and personalised recommendations from their doctors before deciding to proceed with any treatment method.
From now until January 31, 2025, FV Hospital’s Ophthalmology & Refractive Surgery Department is offering a 30% discount on presbyopia surgery. For more information, please contact the Ophthalmology & Refractive Surgery Department at: (028) 54 11 33 33.
