Presbyopia2025-02-12T11:10:11+00:00

Presbyopia is the natural ageing of your eyes

Discover what presbyopia is, why it happens, and the modern solutions to restore your near vision

Presbyopia is the natural ageing of your eyes

Discover what presbyopia is, why it happens, and the modern solutions to restore your near vision

Clear answers about aging eyes

Your top questions about presbyopia answered, from symptoms to advanced treatment options

Presbyopia incidence / prevalence

Presbyopia happens when the lens inside your eye becomes less flexible and it loses the ability to zoom from distance to near. This makes it hard to see things up close. Objects nearby may look blurry.

When you’re young, your eye’s lens can change shape easily. It gets thicker to help you see up close and thinner to help you see far away. Around age 40, the lens starts to lose this ability. By age 50, almost everyone has presbyopia.

Signs of Presbyopia

  • Close-up objects look blurry, especially after age 40.
  • It takes longer for your eyes to adjust when you switch between looking at something near and far.
  • You may feel eye strain or get headaches when reading or doing close-up work

As we age, the lens in our eye becomes less stretchy. This stretchiness is important because it helps the lens change shape to focus on things at different distances.

This change happens slowly over time. The lens gradually loses its ability to get thicker or thinner. Most people don’t notice it until close-up vision becomes difficult. That’s when presbyopia becomes obvious.

We do a full eye check-up to see if you have presbyopia.

  • Focusing Test: We check if your eyes can focus light onto the back of your eye for both near and far distances.
  • Visual Acuity Test: We measure how clearly you can see at different distances.
  • Eye Coordination Test: We check how well your eyes work together and if they move smoothly. This helps us see if your eyes get tired easily.
  • Focus-Shift Test: We see how easily your eyes can switch focus from far to near objects.

These tests tell us how well your eyes are working and if presbyopia is the cause of your vision issues.

Reading glasses or contact lenses are common ways to manage presbyopia. They make close-up tasks like reading easier, but they are not permanent solutions.

We offer an advanced treatment to fix presbyopia:

Lens Replacement Surgery: We remove the lens that isn’t working well and replace it with a new one. The new lens helps you see clearly at different distances.

This treatment can make your life easier. You won’t need to rely on reading glasses as much, giving you more freedom in your daily activities.

What causes presbyopia to happen?

Presbyopia happens because as we get older, the lens inside our eye gets less flexible. This makes it hard to focus on things that are close to us.

Is presbyopia a serious eye problem?

Presbyopia is a normal part of ageing. It’s not serious, but it can make reading and seeing things up close difficult which can be very inconvenient.

Can I prevent presbyopia from happening?

No, we can’t prevent presbyopia. It happens to everyone as we get older.

How do I know if I have presbyopia?

If you find it hard to read or see things up close, you might have presbyopia. It’s best to see an eye doctor who can check your eyes.

Will presbyopia make me lose my sight?

No, presbyopia won’t make you lose your sight. It only makes it hard to see things up close.

What can I do to see better if I have presbyopia?

You can use reading glasses or contact lenses. Some people choose to have eye surgery to see better.

How do reading glasses help with presbyopia?

Reading glasses help make things look bigger and clearer when they are close to you.

If I have presbyopia, will I need glasses all the time?

Not always. You might only need glasses for reading or looking at things up close.

Can eye exercises fix presbyopia?

No, eye exercises can’t fix presbyopia. But there are other treatments like glasses, contact lenses, or surgery that can help you see better.

Can laser eye surgery fix presbyopia?

Yes, laser eye surgery can help with presbyopia. There are a few different laser surgery options that could work. This surgery changes the shape of your eye’s clear front part, which helps your eye focus on things up close and far away.

Another option could be lens replacement surgery, where your eye’s natural lens is replaced with a new lens that helps you see clearly at all distances. This treatment is permanent and means you don’t need cataract surgery in later life as well as treating your presbyopia.

It’s important to talk to an eye doctor to see what option is best for you. They can tell you more about the surgeries, and help you understand the risks and benefits.

Turn back time on your vision

Find out if lens replacement can free you from reading glasses and restore youthful clarity

Turn back time on your vision

Find out if lens replacement can free you from reading glasses and restore youthful clarity

See clearly without glasses in just 3 Steps

Finding the right solution for reading glasses can feel overwhelming. We make the journey simple and clear

Step 1: Reach out

Start your journey to clearer vision by contacting us for an initial assessment. You can call us or book an appointment online to begin exploring if lens replacement is right for you. This first step is all about understanding your vision needs and options.

Step 2: We’ll meet

At your appointment, our experienced team will conduct a series of thorough eye exams to assess your suitability for lens replacement. We’ll explain how the procedure works, address your questions, and discuss how the ideal lens can help you achieve crisp, clear vision at all distances—without relying on glasses.

Step 3: Feel rejuvinated

Following your lens replacement, you can look forward to clear, natural vision across all distances. Most patients enjoy the freedom of focusing on close-up details, mid-range activities, and faraway sights without glasses. From reading fine print to seeing vivid landscapes, you’ll experience a renewed sense of visual freedom and ease.

Real stories of life without reading glasses

Discover how others have reclaimed their freedom and ditched the hassle of reading glasses
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“Excellent result. Complete confidence in Paul Ursell. Quiet, quick, and efficient. Peaceful and comfortable hospital.”

Ms H

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“Dr. Paul Ursell squashed many of my concerns for not having cataract surgery. He offered comfort with examples of his long/distinguished career and new technology that he applies to the surgery.

Both before and after the surgery, Dr. Ursell and staff gave me the information and attention I needed. It was a great success, and I highly recommend Dr. Ursell.”

Mr C
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“I just wanted to thank you again for the brilliant job you have done for me. I am so thrilled to have near-perfect eyesight now, thanks to your great skill and your team. It is such a wonderful liberty not to have to wear glasses anymore! Please also thank Karen for her patience and kind efficiency.”

Mrs C
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“Paul Ursell has honestly given me my quality of life back. I was a very nervous patient and had put off doing anything about my declining eyesight. He makes you feel at ease and is the ultimate professional.

Everything went very well, and to say I am thankful is an understatement.”

Christine
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“I elected to have both eyes operated on by Paul Ursell after witnessing the successful results of a friend and family member and learning how easy, pain-free, and quick the recovery was following the procedure.

Having new lenses in my eyes has transformed my life and I can see both long and short distances without any issues. I now have 20/20 vision and glasses-free. It has been liberating, and I am delighted with the results.”

M.G

We have replaced the images of real patients who provided these testimonials to protect their privacy.

Could you say goodbye to reading glasses?

Take our 2 minute quiz to see if lens surgery could give you clear, youthful vision

Could you say goodbye to reading glasses?

Take our 2 minute quiz to see if lens surgery could give you clear, youthful vision

FAQs and information about vision correction

Everything you need to know about our practice and procedures

Affiliations and memberships

We are proud to be a part of these professional bodies

Hi, I’m Paul Ursell,

I’ve dedicated my career to making cataract surgery safer and easier for patients.

With over 25 years of experience and more than 10,000 cataract surgeries performed, I’m passionate about improving vision and quality of life.

I developed the ‘no needle, no patch’ technique now widely used across the NHS.

As Immediate Past President of the UK & Ireland Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons (UKISCRS), I’m here to bring you the highest standard of care.

Paul Ursell

MBBS MD FRCOphth

How to find us in London and Surrey
  • Parkside Hospital
    53 Parkside,
    Wimbledon,
    London,
    SW19 5NX
  • Ashtead Hospital
    The Warren,
    Ashtead,
    Surrey,
    KT21 2SB
How to reach us
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Are you suitable for vision correction surgery?

It isn’t suitable for everyone.

The first step is to book an assessment so you can find out whether you can benefit.

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