Presbytie —
lire sans lunettes,
à tout âge
Difficulté à lire de près après 45 ans : la presbytie se corrige durablement grâce au presbyLASIK et à d'autres solutions chirurgicales adaptées à votre vision.
What is presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a natural vision defect that typically appears around age 45 and is part of a progressive process that intensifies over time, before stabilizing after 15 to 20 years. This phenomenon is directly linked to age and the natural aging of the eye and the ocular system, and is unavoidable.
Do you struggle to read up close or feel the need to hold books or your phone further away to see better? This could indicate that your eye's natural lens (crystalline lens) has difficulty accommodating enough to provide clear vision at close range. This condition affects many patients from around 40-45 years old.
What are the symptoms of presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a natural, age-related vision condition that affects the eye's ability to clearly see nearby objects. This occurs when the crystalline lens, the eye's natural lens, loses its flexibility, making it harder to focus. From their forties onwards, many patients notice difficulty reading text or looking at their phone without adjusting the distance, a result of this gradual loss of flexibility. Presbyopia can also be accompanied by other conditions like astigmatism, further complicating clear near vision.
Surgical Techniques to Correct Presbyopia
Refractive Surgery
Laser refractive surgery is now a modern, safe, and effective solution with many benefits for permanently correcting farsightedness. It is for people who want to stop relying on glasses or contact lenses, which are often inconvenient in daily life. It works by directly reshaping the cornea to refocus light rays onto the retina. Unlike traditional corrective devices that temporarily compensate for vision problems, surgery provides a structural correction to vision. It is also used to correct other conditions like nearsightedness or presbyopia.
Intraocular Implants
For older patients or those who already have intraocular implants (for example, after cataract surgery), other solutions may be considered, such as laser refractive surgery or the placement of phakic ICL implants. However, for individuals between 20 and 40 years old with no contraindications, refractive surgery is often the best option to regain clear close-up vision without relying on glasses or contact lenses. A comprehensive eye examination is essential to determine the most suitable surgical procedure for your visual profile and to ensure personalized and safe care.
How does the surgeon reshape the cornea during the procedure?
For presbyopia, the goal is to address the loss of elasticity in the crystalline lens and the eye's reduced ability to focus on nearby objects. During the operation, the reshaping is performed entirely on the cornea to create a shape better suited for near vision by adjusting its curvature. This procedure improves vision for close objects while maintaining good distance vision, tailored to the patient's specific needs. Our experienced team ensures you receive the most suitable solution.
Are you eligible for surgery?
Find out if you're eligible by having an assessment at our center.
Our Techniques
Our refractive surgery methods rely on advanced technologies, primarily the Excimer laser, used to precisely reshape the cornea's surface. This high-precision laser allows us to sculpt the cornea to improve how light focuses on the retina and thus effectively correct hyperopia. Several types of operations are available.
- ➜ Quick and painless surgery.
- ➜ The standard laser correction technique. It uses an excimer and femtosecond laser.
- ➜ Almost immediate recovery.
- ➜ Suitable for thin corneas.
- ➜ Suitable for physically demanding professions (firefighters, military, etc.) or contact sports.
- ➜ Option to perform a TRANSPKR (100% laser procedure).
- ➜ Can treat presbyopia.
- ➜ Quick and painless surgery.
- ➜ Suitable for people with presbyopia.
- ➜ Almost immediate recovery.
Return to Daily Activities
- PresbyLASIK: You can return to work the very next day, but you will need to wait one week before resuming sports activities.
- PKR presby pkr or presbytranspkr: Be prepared for a few days of recovery (around 72 hours) before you can return to work. You can resume sports after one week.
Whether for laser refractive surgery for presbyopia or other vision problems, our ophthalmology clinic in Marseille supports you throughout your journey to provide personalized treatment.
At our Marseille center, known for its quality, every operation is performed by a highly qualified surgeon. Prices vary depending on the technique used, the type of correction, and the specifics of each case.
Surgical Techniques to Correct Presbyopia
Regain clear vision
Imagine no longer needing glasses to read a menu or a smartphone screen. With refractive surgery, you can correct presbyopia and regain clear vision, whether up close or far away. Take back control of your eyesight and fully enjoy every moment.
At Phenicia Vision, we place quality of care, technological innovation, and patient listening at the heart of every operation. Every patient is unique. Our clinic welcomes you in a warm and calming environment. A snack is offered after surgery, and every detail is designed for your comfort.
FAQ - PRESBYOPIA
What is presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a natural aging process of the eye that usually occurs around age 45. It appears as a gradual decrease in the ability to see up close, caused by the loss of flexibility of the lens, which means a reduction in near vision accommodation. This process affects daily life, especially reading and using screens.
How do I know if I have presbyopia?
If you find it difficult to read up close, instinctively hold your phone or documents further away to see better, or if your eyes tire more quickly when reading, it's likely that you are affected by presbyopia.
What solutions are available?
PHENICIA VISION, a renowned ophthalmology clinic in Marseille, offers several techniques to permanently correct presbyopia:
- PresbyLASIK: A laser treatment using LASIK for the eyes that allows you to quickly regain near vision, even with associated myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
- PKR presby pkr or presbytranspkr: A technique suitable for thin corneas, requiring a slightly longer recovery period.
Is the procedure painful?
No, the operation is performed under local anesthesia using eye drops. A slight discomfort may be felt after the procedure, but it quickly disappears.
How long does the operation take?
Each operation lasts a few minutes per eye, but you should allow about an hour at the clinic for the entire treatment and post-operative checks. Only 20 minutes in the operating room.
What is the recovery time?
- PresbyLASIK: Using the same laser as LASIK, you can return to work the next day, with sports resuming after one week.
- PKR presbyPKR or transPKR : Requires 48 to 72 hours of recovery before resuming activities.
Our doctors will support you throughout the post-operative period to optimize your recovery.
Can other vision problems be corrected at the same time?
Yes, refractive surgery can simultaneously treat presbyopia, myopia, farsightedness, astigmatism, and other vision defects. In some cases, astigmatism correction can be performed at the same time as presbyopia correction to optimize overall vision quality.
Are the results permanent?
The correction is long-lasting, although natural aging may continue to affect your vision. In some cases, a minor touch-up may be considered by your surgeon after several years. However, if cataracts develop, phacoemulsification (lens surgery) will be necessary at that point.
Who can benefit from this procedure?
An ophthalmological assessment is necessary to determine if you are a suitable candidate. Certain criteria, such as corneal thickness or the presence of conditions like keratoconus or cataracts, can influence eligibility.
In cases of early or advanced cataracts, laser refractive surgery is generally not recommended. A specific procedure involving intraocular implants would then be considered to correct both the cataracts and any associated vision problems.
Do I need to stop wearing my contact lenses before the surgery?
Contact lenses can temporarily change the shape of your cornea. Here are the recommended waiting times:
- Soft contact lenses: stop 2 weeks before the assessment and surgery.
- Rigid or semi-rigid contact lenses: stop 3 weeks before.
This ensures reliable measurements for optimal results.
Is the surgery covered by insurance?
It's simple:
- On Doctolib, by choosing an appointment slot with a specialized ophthalmologist.
- By phone, by contacting PHENICIA VISION directly.
- Or by visiting our website.
The preoperative assessment allows us to:
- Measure your visual acuity,
- Assess the health of your cornea and lens,
- Choose the best surgical technique for you.
At Phenicia Vision in Marseille, our team of optometrists and doctors combines ophthalmology expertise with advanced technologies to provide lasting vision correction.
What are the possible risks or side effects?
Side effects are rare, but the risk is always present and most often temporary. These include:
- Dry eyes
- Light sensitivity,
- Halos around lights (especially at night),
- Temporary vision fluctuation.
- Difficulty adapting to distances
Good follow-up care and clear communication between the patient and the medical team help anticipate and quickly address any discomfort, and reduce all risks.
How to book an appointment?
Simply book an ophthalmological assessment via Doctolib or by directly contacting a center specializing in refractive surgery. This appointment, conducted with an optometrist or an ophthalmic surgeon, allows us to precisely measure your correction, evaluate the overall health of your eyes, and determine if your myopia has been stable for at least one year.
If no contraindications are detected (such as a cornea that is too thin, keratoconus, or early-stage cataracts) and you meet the eligibility criteria, the ophthalmologist can then suggest an appropriate surgical technique (LASIK, PKR, or SMILE) and schedule the procedure. This initial consultation is essential to ensure personalized care that is safe and tailored to your visual needs and lifestyle. During this assessment, a detailed quote will be provided, including the price of the operation based on the chosen technique.
What are the contraindications for refractive surgery?
Here are some situations where refractive surgery is not recommended:
- Cornea that is too thin,
- Progressive eye conditions (keratoconus, glaucoma, advanced cataracts),
- Unstabilized autoimmune diseases,
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding (temporarily),
- Severe untreated dry eye.
In these cases, other options may be suggested by the ophthalmologist to avoid any risk of complications.
Is it possible to have surgery if I've already had cataract surgery or have implants?
It is sometimes possible to undergo secondary refractive surgery (PKR or LASIK) even after implants have been placed, if a residual correction is needed. A thorough examination will help determine:
- The quality of the cornea,
- The type of implant,
- The tear film and the eye's topography.
Can presbyopia and myopia be corrected at the same time?
Yes, particularly with PresbyLASIK or the placement of multifocal implants. This allows you to regain comfortable vision for both near and far without glasses, offering many benefits for people over 40.
In some cases, astigmatism can also be corrected at the same time, if the surgeon deems it compatible with the chosen treatment.
Feasibility will depend on your:
- Age,
- Correction,
- Condition of the cornea,
- Visual expectations (reading, driving, etc.).
Is refractive surgery for hyperopia permanent, or can it 'return' over time?
Yes, particularly with PresbyLASIK or the placement of multifocal implants. This allows you to regain comfortable vision for both near and far without glasses, offering many benefits for people over 40.
In some cases, astigmatism can also be corrected at the same time, if the surgeon deems it compatible with the chosen treatment.
The feasibility will depend on your:
- Age,
- Correction,
- Condition of the cornea,
- Visual expectations (reading, driving, etc.).
Can I drive or use a screen right after the procedure?
Refractive surgery can permanently correct farsightedness. Once the cornea is reshaped, it maintains its new form over time, allowing for clear vision without glasses or contact lenses for many years.
However, it's important to note that the eye naturally continues to age. After 40-45 years of age, presbyopia may appear, even if farsightedness has been corrected. This change is not a return of farsightedness, but a loss of the lens's ability to focus, which can be corrected by other techniques if necessary.
Regular follow-ups with your ophthalmologist remain essential to preserve the quality of your vision in the long term.
Can I have the surgery even if I've worn glasses since childhood?
Yes, absolutely. Many farsighted patients have worn glasses since childhood, sometimes with a significant correction. It is entirely possible to have surgery, provided that:
- Your vision correction must have been stable for at least one year,
- Your cornea is sufficiently thick and regular,
- You have no medical contraindications.
The pre-operative consultation will allow us to check all these factors. It is even common for long-term patients to be among the most satisfied, as they rediscover the comfort of natural vision for the first time since childhood.
Is there an age limit for farsightedness surgery?
There is no fixed age limit, but certain areas of caution should be considered:
- Under 20 years old: it is preferable to wait until vision is stable, as farsightedness can still change.
- Between 20 and 45 years old: this is the ideal age range for correction using LASIK or PKR.
- After 45-50 years old: if presbyopia develops, adapted techniques such as PresbyLASIK or multifocal implants are preferred.
For older patients, or those who have already undergone cataract surgery, a supplementary surgery may be offered. The decision is made on a case-by-case basis, after a thorough assessment.
Can I drive or use a screen right after the procedure?
Everything depends on the technique used and individual recovery:
- With LASIK, most patients regain good vision within a few hours and can drive the next day if the ophthalmologist gives their approval.
- With PRK, a more noticeable visual discomfort is present for 2 to 3 days, making driving or prolonged screen use uncomfortable.
- With PresbyLASIK, recovery is also quick, but a slight blur for close vision might last a few days while your brain adjusts to the new vision.
In all cases, a full day of rest is recommended after the operation, and it is best to avoid screens for 24 to 48 hours to limit eye strain. The ophthalmologist will tell you precisely when it is safe to resume your activities.
How much does farsightedness surgery cost, and are payment plans available?
The cost depends on the technique used (LASIK, PKR, or PresbyLASIK) and the type of procedure required. On average, expect to pay:
- Between €2,000 and €2,800 for both eyes at Phenicia Vision
- This price generally includes the pre-operative assessment, the surgery, post-operative care, and follow-up consultations.
This surgery is not covered by social security, but some private health insurance plans reimburse a portion of the costs (around €800 per year depending on the contract).
