Have you been squinting at menus or stretching your arm as far as it’ll go just to read a text? Presbyopia happens to many people in their 40s and beyond, making it difficult for your eyes to focus properly on close objects.
Reading glasses are one solution, but at his office in Rapid City, South Dakota, expert ophthalmologist Stephen Khachikian, MD, offers two exciting procedures for fixing this problem: KAMRA® inlays and monovision vision correction surgery. Let’s break down how these work and which option may be right for you.
Presbyopia is a natural part of aging that affects the crystalline lens inside your eye. Your lenses gradually lose flexibility over time, making it more difficult to focus on close objects. Unlike nearsightedness or farsightedness, presbyopia can’t be corrected with standard LASIK alone. Specialized treatments are essential to address this specific vision challenge.
The KAMRA inlay is a tiny, ring-shaped device, smaller than a contact lens, that creates a pinhole effect in your eye. This innovative approach offers several benefits:
During the procedure, Dr. Khachikian places the micro-thin inlay in the cornea of your non-dominant eye. The pinhole design allows only focused light to enter, creating clearer reading vision without compromising your ability to see at a distance. Most patients notice their vision continuing to improve over several weeks as the brain adapts.
Monovision takes a different approach to solving presbyopia. Instead of an implant, this technique adjusts each eye for different visual tasks:
Dr. Khachikian can create monovision through refractive surgery or with contact lenses. Many patients choose to test the effect with contacts first before deciding on a permanent surgical solution; this trial run helps determine if the approach feels comfortable for your specific needs.
The best solution to address your presbyopia and free you from reading glasses depends on several factors:
During your consultation, Dr. Khachikian performs comprehensive testing and discusses your lifestyle to determine which approach would provide the best outcome for you.
Today’s advanced treatments offer long-lasting freedom from vision frustrations and fumbling for reading glasses. Find out if KAMRA or monovision could help you read menus, texts, and other close-up materials without constantly adjusting your arm position or searching for glasses.
Contact Dr. Khachikian’s office today by phone or book online to schedule your evaluation.
