From reading a menu without reaching for glasses to working across multiple computer screens, changes in eyesight can affect everyday life in ways many people do not anticipate.
For most people, the first noticeable shift arrives in their 40s, when reading small print becomes more difficult and phones, books and menus gradually need to be held further away.
Known as presbyopia, this gradual loss of near vision has long been accepted as an unavoidable part of ageing. Reading glasses are often followed by progressive lenses and multiple pairs of spectacles kept at home, in the car and at work.
However, Adelaide cataract, corneal and refractive surgeon Dr Aanchal Gupta says advances in vision correction are giving suitable patients more options and making the conversation increasingly personal.
At IVISION LASER in Dulwich, Dr Gupta uses an approach the clinic calls Lifestyle Vision Design, which considers a person’s eye health alongside the way they work, drive, travel, exercise and spend their free time.
Rather than beginning with a particular procedure or lens, the process starts by examining what each patient wants their eyesight to allow them to do.
Someone in their late 40s who works across several computer screens will have different priorities from someone who regularly plays golf, drives at night or wants to travel without carrying several pairs of glasses.
“What do you want your vision to allow you to do?” is the question Dr Gupta says should guide the discussion.
For some people experiencing presbyopia with otherwise healthy natural lenses, laser-based treatments may be considered. These include PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision, which uses a customised approach to extend a person’s range of vision. Suitability depends on a comprehensive assessment of the eyes and the patient’s individual visual requirements.
For people developing cataracts, surgery involves removing the cloudy natural lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens.
While traditional monofocal lenses generally focus vision at one distance, other lens designs may provide a broader range of distance, intermediate or near vision. For suitable patients, these options can reduce reliance on glasses for some everyday activities.
However, there is no single lens that is right for everyone. Different designs involve different compromises, and multifocal lenses may produce visual effects including glare or halos for some patients. Eye health, night-driving requirements, occupation and tolerance of these effects all need to be considered.
At IVISION LASER, diagnostic imaging and a detailed ocular assessment are used alongside conversations about each patient’s priorities. Dr Gupta says technology is only useful when it is appropriately matched to the person receiving it.
“The best lens isn’t necessarily the newest one,” she said.
“It’s the one that’s right for you.”
Dr Gupta has more than 15 years of experience in cataract, corneal and refractive surgery. She is fellowship-trained and has been involved in ophthalmic research, professional education and presentations at Australian and international industry meetings.
She says patients are increasingly considering eyesight as part of a broader conversation about maintaining independence and remaining active later in life.
For many people, reducing dependence on glasses is not simply about convenience. It can make everyday activities such as exercising, cooking, reading, driving and socialising feel easier.
Research has also explored the wider effects of restoring vision through cataract surgery. Some studies have associated cataract surgery with fewer falls and a lower risk of cognitive decline, although the findings do not establish that surgery prevents dementia and outcomes vary between studies. Maintaining functional vision can nevertheless help people continue reading, exercising, driving and participating socially as they age.
Ultimately, Dr Gupta says modern vision correction is not about automatically recommending the newest technology or attempting to eliminate every pair of glasses.
It is about understanding the individual, identifying what is medically appropriate and creating a plan that supports the way they want to live in the years ahead.
IVISION LASER
Where: Suite 2, 176 Fullarton Road, Dulwich
For more information: Visit the IVISION LASER website.
Not every person is suitable for vision correction surgery, and results and potential side effects vary. Individual advice should be obtained from a qualified eye-health professional.
