Presbyopia – When Reading Becomes Difficult 

Meet Dr. Joern Joergensen, founder and medical director of EuroEyes.  For over 25 years, he has focused on treating presbyopia and reducing patients’ dependence on glasses.

Q: At what age does presbyopia usually begin? 
A: Dr. Joern Joergensen: Presbyopia affects everyone and typically starts around the age of 45. Near-sighted people notice they remove their glasses to read, while far-sighted people need to hold text farther away to see clearly.

Q: Can presbyopia be prevented? 
A: Dr. Joern Joergensen: No. It is a natural aging process of the eye and cannot be stopped by exercises or eye drops. Solutions include progressive glasses or medical treatment.

Q: What causes presbyopia? 
A: Dr. Joern Joergensen: Reading at about 30 centimeters requires around three diopters of focusing power. In younger people, the natural lens adjusts easily. Around age 50, the lens becomes stiff and can no longer focus at near distances.

Q: Is this a common complaint among patients? 
A: Dr. Joern Joergensen: Yes, especially due to smartphone use. Many people in their 50s check their phone around 100 times a day, making constant use of reading glasses inconvenient.

Q: What happens to the eye lens as we age? 
A: Dr. Joern Joergensen: From age 40, the lens gradually loses elasticity. Later in life it can become cloudy, leading to cataracts, which require surgery.

Q: How does EuroEyes treat presbyopia? 
A: Dr. Joern Joergensen: In Germany, depending on suitability, treatment is performed either with trifocal lens implantation or laser procedures (i.e., Presbyond LBV).

Q: How long does the procedure take? 
A: Dr. Joern Joergensen: The outpatient procedure is painless, performed under eye-drop anesthesia, takes about ten minutes per eye, and both eyes are treated on the same day.

Q: Can presbyopia be corrected during cataract surgery? 
A: Dr. Joern Joergensen: Yes. After removing the cloudy lens, a customized lens can be implanted to provide clear vision at near and far distances.