If you've always had normal vision but developed presbyopia in late adulthood, you may be frustrated with having to wear reading glasses. If you don't need glasses to drive or see things beyond an arm's length, it's hard to keep glasses around for when you need them. You probably have several pairs of reading glasses and still can't find a pair when you need to read a label or the newspaper. When you need to wear glasses all the time or at least most of the day, you don't have to deal with this frustrating problem. Fortunately, there may be a solution in the form of a corneal inlay. Here's how an inlay may be able to help your presbyopia.
How A Corneal Inlay Works
An inlay is a thin lens that's implanted …show more content…
You'll be awake throughout the procedure but your eye will be numbed with drops first. The doctor uses a laser to make a small incision in your cornea and the inlay is inserted. The hole in the inlay is aligned with your line of vision so light focuses properly. The incision is near the surface so no stitches are needed and your cornea should heal in just a few days.
When To Expect Results
Your vision will be blurry for several hours after the procedure, but a full recovery could take a few months. During that time your vision may fluctuate. You could have noticeable improvement the day after the procedure, but you'll likely have to wait several weeks to a few months to obtain the final results. You'll need to limit activity during your recovery and wear an eye shield so you don't rub your eye. Your doctor will also give you prescription drops to use daily. Following the instructions for care during your recovery is important for getting the best results out of the procedure.
The corneal inlay procedure is quick and easy to tolerate. It could free you from the need to wear reading glasses in the future. However, your eyes will continue to change as you age, so it's always possible you'll develop other vision problems or cataracts. If you do, the inlay won't interfere with other eye treatments and it can even be removed if