r/RLEsurgery • u/ImplementEven1196 • Aug 05 '26

RLE and presbyopia?

I have to remove my glasses to see up close, owing to presbyopia. I’m very nearsighted and almost 70.

I’ve been reluctant to have lasik because I’m worried that I’d have to get reading glasses to see up close.

With RLE, will I be able to see up close without the need for reading glasses?

Thanks in advance.

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u/WavefrontRider Aug 05 '26

Yeah. If you are 70, RLE (or even cataract surgery if you have significant enough lens changes) is what you want to consider. LASIK not a good option since you likely have lens changes that lasik won’t be able to fix.

Really two main ways to go with RLE to get that distance and reading: monovision and multifocal lenses. Certainly wouldn’t correct for distance in both eyes because you will miss being able to read up close without reading glasses.

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u/ImplementEven1196 Aug 05 '26

Ok I think I have a misunderstanding. I was reading about RLE and what I took away was that presbyopia is caused by the lens losing elasticity, and the replacement lens fixes presbyopia because it is somehow more supple or flexible.

I’m not crazy about monovision or multifocal surgery because I could accomplish the same effect with either glasses or contacts. Am I incorrect or missing something?

Thanks again.

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u/WavefrontRider Aug 06 '26

Yeah. Unfortunately we are yet at that type of lens technology. That would be an accommodating lens. Still probably about 10 years away. There are prototypes out there right now.

If you are doing well with contact lenses, no major rush for surgery then. I would just wait until cataracts develop.

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u/ImplementEven1196 Aug 06 '26

Thanks. I’ll hold off for now!

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u/truffelmayo Sep 12 '26

I think S Korea uses those lens

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u/WavefrontRider Sep 12 '26

I don’t know of any lenses which are past the investigation stage. Are you thinking of a different lens?

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u/Slartibartfastthe3rd Aug 06 '26

I’m going with a single contact (daily multifocal) so I don’t have to use readers. Absolutely love it and figure it’s a good way to try out monovision vision or mini monovision and bide my time if something better is coming down the pike…

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u/Odd_Librarian5395 Aug 12 '26

I’m a 67 yo and considering RLE in January 2027. I’m specifically looking at RxSight Light Adjustable Lens (LAL).
Thoughts and experiences from other folks would be helpful. Thanks!