Presbyond Laser Eye Surgery: Ditch The Reading Glasses for Good

When did reading a menu become a balancing act between squinting and stretching your arm out like you’re testing your wingspan? Why does something as simple as checking a text message suddenly need a pair of glasses perched on your nose? You might be experiencing presbyopia, a natural, age-related condition where the eyes gradually lose their ability to focus on near objects.

I’m Dr Erica Darian-Smith, Principal Ophthalmologist at Eagle Eye Surgeons in Sydney. I have a special interest in refractive, corneal and cataract surgery — and I’ve seen firsthand just how frustrating presbyopia can be for people in their 40s, 50s and beyond. That creeping need for reading glasses doesn’t just affect your vision — it chips away at your independence, comfort, and even spontaneity.

This article is a straight-talking look at PRESBYOND laser eye surgery — a sophisticated treatment developed to preserve your natural vision. It’s one of the most exciting options we offer at our clinic, and with over 97% of patients adapting successfully, the results speak for themselves.

Key Takeaways

• PRESBYOND is a LASIK-based laser treatment that blends near and far vision for people with presbyopia.
• It preserves depth perception and natural lens function, unlike monovision surgical approaches.
• The procedure is fast, painless, and done in under 30 minutes.
• Eagle Eye Surgeons is the FIRST ophthalmology clinic offering PRESBYOND in Sydney.

Understanding Presbyopia and Its Impact

Presbyopia is a completely normal shift in the eye’s ability to focus on close objects. It’s caused by a hardening of the lens of your eye, which occurs with aging. As your lens becomes less flexible, it can no longer change shape to focus on close-up images. As a result, these images appear out of focus.

Presbyopia tends to kick off somewhere around the age of 40. You might notice fine print becoming blurry, or feel eye strain more often by the end of the day.

For many of my patients, the constant stop-start with reading glasses becomes a daily irritation. From following a recipe, to scrolling through messages, to glancing at a train schedule — the glasses are always on and off. It’s a nuisance that chips away at your convenience and quality of life.

What Is PRESBYOND Laser Eye Surgery?

PRESBYOND is a modern evolution of traditional LASIK, specifically developed to treat presbyopia. It doesn’t remove your lens or insert anything artificial — instead, it tweaks the corneal surface to create a smooth blend between near and far vision. Think of it as creating a gentle visual gradient, rather than flipping between two extremes.

Unlike monovision, which forces one eye to focus on near and the other on distance (something many struggle to adjust to), PRESBYOND allows both eyes to work together. This preserves depth perception and makes everyday activities feel more natural — no weird visual compromises, just clearer vision across the board.

The real magic lies in the technology. We take precise measurements of your eye’s shape, pupil size, and optical behaviour to create a truly personalised treatment plan. Our Zeiss excimer laser system handles the rest with incredible accuracy.

Benefits of Choosing PRESBYOND

Why is PRESBYOND worth considering over other vision correction options? There are a number of benefits.

• Keeps Your Natural Lens: PRESBYOND preserves your eye’s natural lens. No artifical lenses are inserted which reduces risk and shortens recovery time compared to more invasive intra-ocular lens implants.
• Feels Natural, Works Seamlessly: Most people say they stop noticing their vision altogether — a sign it’s working just as it should. There’s no awkward trade-off between near and far sight, just clear, balanced vision.
• Proven Results, High Satisfaction: With a 97%+ adaptation rate, the outcomes are consistently strong. Even patients with high visual demands — like pilots — report excellent satisfaction.

PRESBYOND stands out because it delivers clarity without compromise. It’s vision correction that respects how your eyes are meant to work.

Who Is a Suitable Candidate?

Before we do anything at our clinic we’ll go through an extensive patient assessment with you to consider all the following:

• Ideal Age and Eye Health: If you’re between 40 and 60 with healthy eyes, you’re likely a strong candidate. PRESBYOND is particularly suited to those without cataracts or major eye conditions who still want freedom from reading glasses.
• Not Ready for Lens Surgery: Many of my patients aren’t comfortable with lens replacement or simply don’t need it yet. PRESBYOND offers a non-invasive alternative that still delivers excellent near and distance vision.
• Struggled with Monovision? If you’ve had monovision laser eye surgery in the past but it hasn’t delivered the results you hoped, PRESBYOND may be a better option. It preserves natural binocular vision, which feels more balanced and intuitive, especially for active or detail-focused people.

You’ve got nothing to lose by booking an initial assessment at Eagle Eye Surgeons. And even if we find that PRESBYOND isn’t a good option we can talk about a number of alternatives with you.

Watch the following video where I explain more about the suitability criteria and the procedure in general.

What to Expect Before and During the Procedure

The initial free assessment is done by the optometrist or orthoptists. If you are a suitable candidate, you will then see an eye surgeon and this is will cost $350 (which comes off the final procedure cost if you decide to proceed).

On your first visit, we’ll ask some questions to make sure PRESBYOND is a good match for your lifestyle and vision goals. We’ll also want to find out more about your eye health history, and your current eyewear prescriptions. It’s best to avoid using contact lenses for three (3) days prior to this initial consultation. Please bring your doctor or optometrist referral letter if you have one.

Next, we begin a diagnostic assessment. That includes corneal scans, pupil measurements and taking a look at your retina. We’ll need to add some eye drops that dilate your pupils in order to get a good look at the back of your eye – so it’s best to arrange a chauffeur or public transport.

This entire first stage can take up to two hours because we want to get all the information we need to ensure vision results that you’ll be delighted with.

After the initial appointment, you’ll book in for the procedure a few weeks later. It’s best to avoid anything that is likely to irritate your eyes or cause excessive dryness. For best results and patient comfort, we like your eyes to be in the best natural state possible.

You’ll need to pay the full cost of the operation at least two days before your surgery.

The PRESBYOND laser procedure itself is carried out in our clinic and the whole procedure usually wraps up in under half an hour. Many patients tell me the process feels more like a high-tech eye checkup than a medical procedure.

The laser treatment is painless. You might feel a slight pressure or cool sensation, but it’s all over in seconds. You’ll be awake, comfortable, and done before your coffee would go cold!

You can head home the same day. There’s no need for a hospital stay or general anaesthetic. Again, it’s a good idea to have someone else drive for you, if you are coming by car.

Recovery and Results Timeline

Right after the procedure, most people experience mild grittiness or light sensitivity — nothing dramatic, and certainly nothing that stops you from walking out on your own two feet. For many patients, improvement in near vision can already be noticeable the next day.

Within the first week, it’s normal for your eyes to feel a little dry or for your focus to shift as your brain adjusts. Your eyes and brain are reacquainting themselves. That said, the adjustment tends to be smooth — no big learning curve.

Long term results are impressive. Around 98% of patients can comfortably read a newspaper without glasses, and roughly 90% can handle the fine print on medication labels — no squinting required.

Why Choose Eagle Eye Surgeons for PRESBYOND

Our team are the FIRST ophthalmologists in Sydney to perform PRESBYOND procedures. And we leverage some of the most modern and innovative eye care technologies that are available in our industry.

At both our locations, in Mosman and Nepean, we use Pentacam eye scans, widely regarded as the “gold standard” in precise and reliable eye care diagnostics. We also have the latest technology from Italy – the MS39 anterior segment topographers and Osiris aberometers. Our ophthalmologists use the equipment to assess corneal thickness, curvature, and the overall shape of patient corneas during our pre-operative checks.

Our practices are equipped with Zeiss Excimer Lasers for refractive surgery. Zeiss is an industry leader and technology pioneer when it comes to innovation in eye care technology.

To learn more about our approach to helping patients battle presbyopia, watch the following video from our YouTube channel.

 

Final Thoughts

PRESBYOND laser eye surgery is a proven solution for people who want to leave reading glasses behind without giving up their natural vision. It blends near and distance focus smoothly, avoids invasive procedures, and delivers consistent results — with over 97% of patients adapting successfully and reading comfortably without glasses.

We have two convenient locations in Sydney. Our Mosman clinic on the Lower North Shore offers ground floor access, on-site parking, and excellent public transport links. Our Nepean clinic offers two hours of free on-site parking and easy access opposite Nepean Hospital. You can call us on (02) 7228 3900 (MOSMAN) or (02) 7228 3556 (NEPEAN) or arrange an appointment online through this website.