Reclaim Comfort and Clarity Up Close

If reading menus, checking your phone, or doing close-up work has become more difficult lately, you may be experiencing presbyopia—a natural, age-related change in vision. While common, it doesn’t mean reading glasses or visual frustration need to become your new normal. At Cohen Eye Institute, we offer a full spectrum of modern treatment options designed to restore crisp near vision and reduce your dependence on glasses.

Cohen Eye Institute World-Class Vision Correction

Led by world-renowned vision correction expert Dr. Ilan Cohen, our team takes a precision-based, personalized approach to every case. With over 80,000 successful surgeries, proprietary planning systems, and the trust of more than 1,000 physicians who’ve chosen him for their own eye care, Dr. Cohen offers unmatched expertise in both surgical and non-surgical presbyopia solutions.

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Why Other Surgeons Trust Dr. Cohen

Presbyopia care at Cohen Eye Institute stands apart because it’s built on deep specialization and surgical excellence. Dr. Ilan Cohen is a fellowship-trained corneal and refractive surgeon whose entire practice is dedicated to advanced vision correction. He is the creator of RealSight™, a proprietary surgical planning system designed to optimize outcomes for lens-based procedures.

While many eye surgeons divide their time between routine exams and occasional surgery, Dr. Cohen focuses 100% on surgical vision correction. His experience, precision, and personalized approach make him a top choice for patients seeking lasting results, especially those navigating the visual complexities of aging eyes.

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What Is Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects, typically beginning in your early to mid-40s. Unlike farsightedness caused by eye shape, presbyopia occurs when the natural lens becomes stiffer with age, reducing its ability to change shape and accommodate near tasks.

Symptoms often develop subtly and progress over time. While it’s a natural part of aging, you don’t have to accept the inconvenience that comes with it.

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Common Signs of Presbyopia

  • Difficulty reading small print or phone screens
  • The need to hold materials farther away to see clearly
  • Eye strain or headaches during close-up tasks
  • Blurry near vision that contrasts with good distance sight
  • Increased reliance on reading glasses for everyday activities

If these symptoms sound familiar, presbyopia treatment may help restore visual balance and comfort.

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What Causes Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is caused by age-related stiffening of the eye’s natural lens and changes in the muscles that help it focus. As flexibility decreases, the lens can no longer shift its shape to focus on objects at different distances, particularly those nearby.

While genetics and general eye health play a role in how quickly presbyopia progresses, it’s considered an inevitable part of the aging process for most people over 40.

Advanced Presbyopia Treatment Options

At Cohen Eye Institute, we offer a range of personalized solutions to help patients manage or correct presbyopia, depending on lifestyle, prescription, and long-term goals.

Reading Glasses & Multifocal Lenses

These are the most conservative options for improved near vision without surgery. Many patients begin with this route, but others seek alternatives to avoid the inconvenience of carrying multiple pairs of glasses.

Contact Lenses (Multifocal & Monovision)

Custom-fitted contact lenses can blend distance and near focus using either multifocal designs or monovision, where one eye is corrected for far and the other for near. This option works well for many patients but may require time to adapt.

LASIK Monovision

In laser monovision, one eye is corrected for distance and the other for near tasks using LASIK. This approach offers freedom from glasses for many patients but requires a trial period or simulation to determine compatibility.

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)

Ideal for patients over 40 or those seeking a long-term solution, RLE replaces the eye’s natural lens with a multifocal or extended-depth intraocular lens (IOL). This advanced procedure corrects presbyopia and often eliminates the need for future cataract surgery. It’s one of Dr. Cohen’s specialties, planned with his proprietary RealSight™ system to ensure the most precise outcomes.

Corneal Inlays

This minimally invasive procedure involves inserting a small implant into the cornea to enhance near focus in one eye. Though not as commonly used as lens-based procedures, it can be effective for the right candidate and is reversible.

Eye Drops

Recently developed eye drops that constrict the pupils can temporarily improve near vision by increasing depth of focus. While their effects are modest and best suited for mild cases, they offer a non-invasive option for those seeking temporary relief without glasses or surgery. However, their use is often limited by the short duration of action and potential side effects in some patients.

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Your Consultation With Dr. Cohen

Your presbyopia treatment begins with a full diagnostic assessment, including corneal mapping, lens flexibility testing, and a review of your prescription and visual habits. Dr. Cohen personally reviews your case, explains your options in detail, and helps you select the most appropriate treatment, based not just on your eyes, but on how you live. Whether you prefer a conservative solution or want to explore surgical correction, you’ll receive a plan that’s tailored for lasting clarity and comfort.

Your Presbyopia Treatment

Non-surgical solutions such as contacts or glasses can be started immediately, while surgical options like RLE or LASIK Monovision are performed on an outpatient basis with minimal discomfort and rapid recovery.

Most vision correction procedures take under 30 minutes per eye. Dr. Cohen uses refined techniques, micro-incisions, and high-resolution planning to ensure optimal accuracy, minimizing downtime and maximizing results.

Recovery and Results

Most patients see noticeable improvement within days. Depending on your treatment, you may experience gradual enhancement in near focus as your eyes adjust to the new visual system.

Post-operative care includes check-ins with Dr. Cohen and his team to ensure your eyes are healing properly and your vision continues to improve. Most patients resume daily activities within a few days.

Why Choose Dr. Ilan Cohen for Presbyopia Treatment?

Dr. Cohen’s credentials and experience make him one of the most trusted surgeons for patients seeking long-term solutions to presbyopia:

  • 80,000+ successful vision procedures performed
  • Fellowship-trained in corneal and refractive surgery
  • Creator of RealSight™—a proprietary system for precise IOL planning
  • Trusted by over 1,000 physicians for their personal vision care
  • 100% focus on surgical vision correction—no routine exams or retail distractions

When it comes to correcting age-related vision, you need a surgeon who understands not just the mechanics of your eyes but also your goals for how you want to live. Dr. Cohen delivers both.

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Is Presbyopia Treatment Right for You?

You may be a candidate for presbyopia correction if you:

  • Are over 40 and struggling with near vision
  • Use reading glasses frequently
  • Have difficulty switching focus between near and far
  • Want a lasting solution, not a daily workaround
  • Have other refractive issues that could benefit from combined correction

Dr. Cohen will work with you to select the best approach—whether that’s lifestyle-based, laser-based, or lens-based.

Frequently Asked Questions Presbyopia Treatment

Will I still need reading glasses after treatment?

It depends on your chosen treatment. Multifocal IOLs and LASIK monovision often reduce or eliminate the need for reading glasses.

Is presbyopia treatment permanent?

Surgical options like RLE and LASIK monovision offer long-term correction. However, natural changes may still occur over time.

Can I combine treatments for presbyopia and other vision issues?

Yes. Many patients address both presbyopia and nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism in a single treatment plan.

Is LASIK monovision hard to adjust to?

Some patients need a brief adjustment period. Dr. Cohen can simulate the experience using contact lenses beforehand to help you decide.

What if I’m not ready for surgery?

That’s okay. Non-surgical options like glasses, contacts, and inlays can still offer meaningful improvements with minimal commitment.

Schedule Your Consultation

Presbyopia doesn’t have to slow you down—or define how you see the world. At Cohen Eye Institute, we’re here to guide you through a customized treatment journey built on surgical excellence and patient trust. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Ilan Cohen today to explore your options and reclaim comfortable, confident near vision—without compromise.

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Enhancing Your Vision

Guiding you toward the procedure that fits your unique needs, so you can see the world clearly and confidently.

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