Presbyopia Treatment in Turkey
Presbyopia is the gradual loss of near focus that affects everyone from their mid-forties. The natural lens becomes stiffer, so reading, phone screens and menus drift out of focus and reading glasses or varifocals become necessary. It is a normal part of ageing, not a disease.
No operation can restore the flexible lens of a young eye. What surgery can do is reduce how often you reach for glasses, using either a laser treatment on the cornea or a lens implant. At LASIK Istanbul the options are assessed by ophthalmologist Op. Dr. Alim Huseynov after a full examination.
Medically reviewed by Op. Dr. Alim Huseynov · Last reviewed 12 November 2026
🔍 Laser Monovision
In monovision, the dominant eye is corrected for distance and the other eye is left or made slightly short-sighted, so that it sees clearly at near. The brain learns to rely on whichever eye is in focus. The correction is carried out with Femto LASIK or PRK.
Monovision suits some people very well and others not at all. For that reason it is tested beforehand with contact lenses or trial glasses, ideally for several days of normal life. If you cannot adapt to the trial, the laser treatment is unlikely to satisfy you.
The compromises are somewhat reduced depth perception and less sharp distance vision in the near eye, which some people notice when driving at night. The effect also becomes weaker as presbyopia progresses, and laser treatment does not prevent cataracts later on.
Lens Exchange with Trifocal or EDOF Lenses
Refractive lens exchange replaces the natural lens with an artificial one that focuses at more than one distance. Trifocal lenses cover far, intermediate and near; EDOF lenses cover far and intermediate with fewer night-time side effects. Because the natural lens is removed, the result does not change as presbyopia advances and a cataract cannot develop.
This is surgery inside the eye, with rare but serious risks such as infection and retinal detachment, and multifocal lenses commonly cause halos around lights at night. It is generally considered from about 50 onwards, earlier in people with long-sightedness, and less readily in short-sighted people under 55, whose risk of retinal detachment is higher.
If a cataract is already present, the same choice of lenses is available as part of cataract surgery.
Which Option Suits Whom?
The right choice depends on age, prescription, the condition of the lens and retina, and how you use your eyes. As a rough guide:
45 to 50, short-sighted or with little prescription, clear lens: laser monovision may be considered after a successful contact lens trial.
Around 50 and over, long-sighted or with early lens clouding: lens exchange is more often discussed.
Any age, with a cataract that affects vision: cataract surgery with a suitable lens.
People who drive professionally at night, or who are not prepared to accept any compromise in distance vision: glasses often remain the best solution.
The examination includes refraction for distance and near, eye dominance testing, corneal mapping, pupil measurement, a dry-eye assessment and a retinal examination. It is entirely reasonable to decide, after that, to stay with glasses.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Presbyopia Treatment
1. Can LASIK fix reading vision?
Standard LASIK corrects distance vision and does not treat presbyopia. A monovision or blended-vision laser treatment can reduce the need for reading glasses by setting one eye for near, but it is a compromise and not a restoration of young eyes.
2. I have never worn glasses. Can I have surgery just for reading?
It is possible, but the bar should be high. An eye that sees well at distance has more to lose, so it is generally advisable to try monovision with a contact lens first and to consider lens surgery only later.
3. What is the best age for presbyopia surgery?
There is no single best age. Laser monovision is mostly done between about 45 and 55. Lens exchange is more common from 50 to 55 onwards, when the natural lens has lost most of its function.
4. Will I never need glasses again?
That cannot be promised. Most people still use glasses in some situations, for example for very small print, long reading sessions or night driving.
5. Does the result last?
After lens exchange the correction is stable. After laser monovision near vision slowly declines again as presbyopia progresses, and an enhancement or reading glasses may be needed after some years.
6. What are the main risks?
For laser treatment: dry eye, glare, under- or over-correction and difficulty adapting to monovision. For lens exchange: halos, infection, retinal detachment, retinal swelling and clouding of the capsule behind the lens. The doctor will go through the risks that apply to your eyes.
7. How long should I stay in Istanbul?
For laser monovision the schedule is similar to LASIK, around 4 to 5 days. Lens exchange takes longer because the eyes are treated on separate days. We confirm the plan once we have seen your prescription.