[기고] Is there snow that comes with presbyopia?

As the average life expectancy increases and the society becomes aging, the lifestyles of middle-aged and elderly people are also different from the past, and economic, social, and leisure activities are becoming as diverse and active as those in their 20s and 30s. The elderly population who not only uses computers and smartphones proficiently, but also communicates with various people through Internet cafes and SNS, as well as sports with large movements such as golf, mountain climbing, badminton, and bicycles is increasing. According to this trend, it is natural to want eyesight comparable to that of young people.

However, one of the first signs of aging that comes naturally as we get older is probably the change in the eyes. As early as the early 40s, uncomfortable presbyopia symptoms begin when looking at nearby objects. If your eyes get tired easily and in the afternoon your eyes are tired and the text on the computer or book spreads out, it is most likely an early symptom of presbyopia. The body and mind are still young in their 20s and 30s, and they are full of motivation. However, due to the aging of the eyes, presbyopia or cataracts come and the eyesight decreases, so there are various inconveniences and limitations in life.

Presbyopia is a phenomenon in which the lens becomes stiffer and less elastic with age, and the ability to control is reduced, resulting in decreased near vision. However, in presbyopia, each person feels different according to each person’s eyesight and eye characteristics, and the progression is not the same. Patients who feel presbyopia first are often farsighted, who had better eyesight than others when they were young. As far-sighted people get older, presbyopia comes early, and as the symptoms of presbyopia progress, the distance vision also deteriorates, causing a lot of eye fatigue and frowns all the time. In tired or dark places, it looks particularly blurry, but in this type of hyperopia presbyopia, distance vision is also deteriorated and near vision is worse. Therefore, the greatest effect can be seen when presbyopia correction surgery is performed.

Occasionally, when presbyopia begins after the mid-40s, vision is corrected with LASIK or LASEK. At this time, it is necessary to fully listen to the explanation of the ophthalmologist and consider the operation about any discomfort that may occur after the operation. In this case, depending on the eye, you may need a magnifying glass right after or within 2-3 years of your vision correction surgery. As presbyopia progresses, the vision itself may change, and cataracts may develop early and may require surgery, so it is advisable to make a decision after listening to sufficient consultation and explanation.

Recently, many surgeries in which the lens is removed through presbyopia cataract surgery or presbyopia surgery and then a new artificial lens is inserted. Unlike in the past, the use of multifocal IOLs that can correct astigmatism and presbyopia beyond simple vision recovery is increasing due to the advancement of intraocular lenses. Multifocal lenses used for cataract surgery to correct presbyopia and toric lenses for astigmatism correction show a greater difference in visual acuity than conventional monofocal lenses, depending on how accurately the lens is positioned in the center of the eye.

Anterior capsulotomy performed during cataract surgery is the most influential factor in determining the position of the lens after surgery. Anterior capsulotomy is a process that removes the lens by making a circular incision in the thin membrane located in front of the cloudy lens and opening it so that the lens can be inserted. The more accurate the position of the implanted intraocular lens is, the closer it is to a circular shape with an appropriate size in the center of the lens where anterior capsular incision is possible.

With the development of lenses, interest in cataract surgery using lasers has recently increased. An experienced surgeon can make an anterior capsule incision in the center of the right size and shape, but there may be some mistakes because it is done by humans. However, laser cataract surgery can always make an anterior capsular incision in a constant and precise location. Therefore, it is safer and the quality of vision is high. If the anterior capsular incision is made accurately in this way, it can be of great help to the vision results of cataract surgery to correct presbyopia using a multifocal intraocular lens.

For patients with hyperopia presbyopia who had better eyesight than others when they were young, but feel uncomfortable because of the early presbyopia, treatment with appropriate methods such as multifocal intraocular lenses and laser cataract surgery to correct presbyopia can be more effective. You will be able to spend your middle-aged and old age enjoying life more vigorously by taking a good look at sports activities with high activity and social media activities using smartphones or computers.

Written by: Dream Seongmoan and Heo Youngjae Director

Online JoongAng Ilbo