What is presbyopia?

Alterssichtigkeit
  • Cause: With increasing age, the lens of the eye loses its elasticity and can no longer adjust to proximity.
  • Typical age: Onset usually between 40-45 years, with increasing deterioration.

Symptoms: Blurred vision at close range, texts have to be held further away, headaches or tiredness when reading.

The progressive lens trap: Why new glasses are often not the solution

Many patients come to us because they can no longer tolerate the side effects of their expensive progressive glasses. Presbyopia suddenly dictates your posture:

PresbyMAX
  • The Neck Syndrome (Cervical Spine): To see clearly on a PC screen through the narrow, lower part of progressive lenses, you have to tilt your head back slightly. Chronic tension and headaches are the result.
  • The “swimming effect” & accident risk: When walking down stairs, the steps blur because you are looking at the floor through the reading zone. You have to lower your head unnaturally.
  • Sporting limitations: When playing golf, tennis, or skiing, the rigid vision zones of the glasses massively disrupt hand-eye coordination.

We don’t prescribe stronger glasses that you have to “get used to.” We reconstruct the optical dynamics directly within your eye.

The EyeLaser Triage: Laser, implant, or lens exchange?

The treatment goal is freedom from glasses. The path there depends decisively on age and anatomy. We offer you the most modern procedures in Europe in 3 stages:

PresbyMAX

Phase 1: Corneal solutions (Approx. 45 to 55 years)

Your own lens is stiffer but still completely clear. Here, we work on the corneal surface:

Option A: PresbyMAX (Laser Blended Vision)

  • Optical balance: Our 7D Schwind Amaris laser modulates the cornea so that the depth of field is extremely expanded. One eye is optimized for distance, the other slightly for near vision.
  • Safety through simulation: Before we operate, we simulate the PresbyMAX effect exactly with special contact lenses. You test the visual sensation in everyday life.
Katarakt

Option B: The game changer “Allotex TransForm” (100% biocompatible & reversible)

  • For patients who do not want permanent tissue removal by a laser, we exclusively offer the Allotex TransForm implant.
  • The technology: A tiny, wafer-thin optical inlay made of sterile, natural human corneal collagen (no artificial plastic!) is gently placed under the top layer of the cornea. It changes the refractive power so that you can read perfectly again.
  • Your biggest advantage: Because it is 100% biocompatible, it is not rejected by the eye as a foreign body. And most importantly: It is fully reversible. Should your eye change significantly in 10 years, the inlay can be easily removed in just a few minutes.
Gray star cataract

Phase 2: The lens exchange path (From approx. 55 years)

The lens is rigid and may begin to cloud microscopically. A laser on the cornea would not be sustainable here. We rely on refractive lens exchange (RLE).

  • Femto-laser instead of scalpel (FLACS): We offer lens exchange as a laser-assisted option upon request. A high-precision femtosecond laser opens the lens capsule with micrometer accuracy, without blades.
  • Double protection: This high-tech lens lasts a lifetime, never changes again, and protects you 100% from future cataracts.

Correct your presbyopia and enjoy a life without glasses and contact lenses

Discover why your reading vision deteriorates with age

The medical masterclass: EDOF, multifocal, and absolute transparency

For lens exchange, we are independent of manufacturers and select the lens from the global market that fits you perfectly:

Augenlaser

1. EDOF vs. Multifocal (Trifocal)

  • Trifocal lenses: Provide freedom from glasses for distance, PC distance, and near vision. Compromise: Slight light rings (halos) may occur at night.
  • EDOF lenses (Extended Depth of Focus): Seamless vision from distance to the dashboard, with extremely reduced halo risk. Ideal for frequent night drivers. For very small print (package inserts), reading glasses may still be needed.
EyeLaser Vienna

2. The neuroadaptation factor

Your eye provides a new optical signal from day one. Your brain needs time to process these new images perfectly. This neurological learning process (neuroadaptation) takes between 3 and 6 months.

3. Absolute transparency: Posterior capsule opacification

We do not hide medical facts. Months or years after a lens exchange, the body’s own capsule can cloud slightly ( Afterstar). This is normal. The solution? We “polish” the capsule in our practice in a painless, 60-second treatment with the YAG laser. Afterwards, your vision is immediately and forever crystal clear again.

Which treatment method is right for you?

Method Ideal for Special feature & technology Limitations
Allotex TransForm Age 45-55 (good distance vision) 100% natural corneal inlay. Reversible! No plastic. Eye must be largely free of refractive errors (emmetropic) for distance.
PresbyMAX (Laser) Age approx. 45–55 years Increases the corneal depth of field. Can be simulated in advance! Lens continues to age.
Lens exchange (EDOF) Age 55+ (night drivers) Seamless vision (distance to PC). No nocturnal halos. Reading glasses may be needed for tiny print.
Lens exchange (Trifocal) Age 55+ (reading focus) Replaces the natural lens. Glasses-free at all distances. Slight light rings (halos) possible during night driving.

The EyeLaser suitability check: The traffic-light system for your eyes

ReLEx SMILE in Wien – Die Methode erklärt, die Zukunft erleben

🟢 Green Light (Ideal Conditions):

  • Healthy retina and healthy optic nerve.
  • Realistic expectations regarding neuroadaptation.
  • From approx. 45 years (PresbyMAX / Allotex) or from approx. 55 years (lens exchange).

🟡 Yellow light (special procedures & medical clarification required):

  • Dry eyes: The tear film must be treated before any procedure (e.g., IPL light therapy).
  • Previous laser surgery (LASIK) in youth: A lens exchange is possible but requires complex special calculations for the new lens.

🔴 Red light (No refractive surgery with multifocal lenses possible):

  • Advanced macular degeneration (AMD).
  • Advanced glaucoma with visual field loss.
    (In these cases, often only medically indicated cataract surgery with standard lenses is useful).
Dr. Victor Derhartunian

“The treatment of presbyopia is the supreme discipline of eye surgery. Today, we offer technologies that were unthinkable a few years ago – from reversible biological Allotex implants to robot-assisted femto lens exchange. My task is to work with you to find out if your brain, your anatomy, and your lifestyle harmonize perfectly with this new optics. Absolute transparency is the foundation for your lifelong satisfaction.”
– Dr. med. univ. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO

Your path to a life without progressive and reading glasses begins today

Do not leave your eyesight to chance. Invest in the highest Austrian quality standards, biological Allotex implants, state-of-the-art laser technology, and the outstanding surgical experience of Dr. Derhartunian.

100% non-binding. No hidden costs. Practice in a prime location in the heart of Vienna.

Book your suitability check in Vienna online in 15 minutes now

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about presbyopia in Vienna

What exactly is presbyopia?

It is the natural aging process of the eye’s lens. From around age 45, it loses elasticity. The inner eye muscle can no longer perform the focusing (accommodation) for near vision.

Why are progressive glasses often so problematic?

Progressive lenses have narrow vision zones. To see clearly, you have to raise or lower your head unnaturally. This leads to cervical spine syndrome (neck pain) and a dangerous “swimming effect” when climbing stairs.

What is the Allotex TransForm implant?

It is a revolutionary, microscopic inlay for the cornea that restores near vision. Unlike earlier implants, Allotex consists of 100% sterile, natural human corneal collagen (no plastic). It is extremely biocompatible, and the eye accepts it as its own tissue.

Is the Allotex implant reversible?

Yes, that is the biggest advantage. Should your eyes change significantly over the years or if you later wish for a lens exchange, the wafer-thin Allotex inlay can be removed easily and without residue in a short procedure.

Can presbyopia be permanently lasered away?

With PresbyMAX, we can model the cornea so that the depth of field increases massively. However, since the natural lens continues to age, the laser effect is usually excellent for about 5 to 10 years. Refractive lens exchange is permanent (lifelong).

What is the difference between monovision and PresbyMAX?

In old-fashioned monovision, one eye is strictly lasered for distance and one for near vision (often leading to headaches). PresbyMAX creates an extended depth of field so that both eyes share a common intermediate zone. The brain tolerates this excellently.

Can I test PresbyMAX beforehand?

Yes! We simulate the optical profile of PresbyMAX exactly during the preliminary examination with special contact lenses. You test the visual sensation in everyday life before we even turn on the laser.

Is lens exchange the same as cataract surgery?

Surgically: Yes. The difference lies in the material: in standard insurance-covered surgery, a standard lens is used. In refractive lens exchange, we use high-tech premium lenses (EDOF/trifocal).

What is femtosecond laser-assisted lens exchange (FLACS)?

In this premium version, we do not use a manual scalpel cut. A femtosecond laser opens the cornea and the lens capsule with micrometer accuracy and fragments the old lens. This massively increases precision.

Can I still get cataracts after a lens exchange?

No. Since your natural lens is replaced by an artificial lens made of biocompatible acrylate, you can never develop cataracts again for the rest of your life.

What is a secondary cataract and how is it treated?

Months or years after the lens exchange, the capsule in which the new lens sits can cloud over (posterior capsule opacification). We “polish” this capsule in the practice with a YAG laser in 60 seconds, painlessly. After that, vision is clear forever.

Will I see perfectly immediately after the surgery?

Vision is often very good as early as the next day. But your brain must learn to filter the new optical signals correctly. This process of “neuroadaptation” takes 3 to 6 months.

What are "halos" and "starbursts"?

Multifocal lenses break light into different rings. At night, stray light can occur at these rings (halos around headlights). The brain usually fades out these effects after a few months.

What is the difference between trifocal and EDOF lenses?

Trifocal lenses have 3 fixed focal points. EDOF lenses (Extended Depth of Focus) offer seamless vision from distance to PC with almost zero halos, but may still require reading glasses for extremely small print.

Can I feel the artificial lens in my eye?

No. The lens is placed exactly in the spot where your natural lens was previously located. There are no pain nerves there.

Does the procedure (Allotex, laser, or lens exchange) hurt?

No. Your eyes are numbed locally with drops. You only feel a slight pressure, but no pain at all.

Am I awake during the surgery?

Yes. General anesthesia is not necessary and would only carry risks. You can receive a sedative upon request.

How long does the procedure take?

The PresbyMAX laser takes a few seconds per eye. Allotex implantation or a lens exchange takes a relaxed 10 to 15 minutes in the operating room.

What happens if I move my eye during the surgery?

During lasering, our 7D eye tracker detects micro-movements and stops immediately. During lens exchange and Allotex implantation, the surgeon guides the instruments so gently that movements are safely compensated.

When can I return to work?

Recovery is very fast. Most patients can return to work after 2 to 3 days.

When can I do sports again?

Light jogging is allowed again after 3-4 days. Swimming (spa visits, Old Danube) and sauna are strictly forbidden for 3 weeks (risk of infection).

When can I drive again after the surgery?

Only when the ophthalmologist determines sufficient visual acuity during the follow-up check (usually the next day).

Can I wear make-up after the procedure?

Please completely avoid eye makeup for at least one week.

How high are the costs for presbyopia treatment in Vienna?

PresbyMAX starts at approx. 1,500 to 2,000 euros per eye. Allotex implants and premium lens exchange (EDOF/trifocal) are higher due to material costs (often 3,000 to 4,500 euros per eye).

Does the Austrian health insurance fund (ÖGK) cover the costs?

No. Public health insurance only pays for a standard lens in cases of advanced cataracts. Freedom from glasses is a private service. However, you can deduct the costs for tax purposes (“extraordinary burden”).

Do you offer installment payments?

Yes, in cooperation with our financing partners, we offer convenient installment payments.

What if I have extremely dry eyes?

Since the tear film is the first refractive layer of the eye, it must be intact for premium lenses or Allotex to function perfectly. We treat your tear film specifically in advance.

Why does the preliminary examination at EyeLaser take almost two hours?

Premium safety tolerates no haste. Optical measurement (IOL Master), topography (Pentacam), contact lens simulation, and the consultation with Dr. Derhartunian require time for a perfect result.