ICL surgery corrects distance and astigmatic errors but does not directly treat presbyopia, so near vision may still need glasses.
When it can still be useful
Distance priorities may dominate.
- Short‑sighted patients wanting clear distance and mid‑range vision without glasses
- Acceptance of using readers or bifocals for fine near tasks
- Clear natural lens in which preserving accommodation is desirable
- High prescriptions where reducing thickness of everyday glasses is a major benefit
- Scope to combine ICL with simple reading glasses or workplace solutions
When other options may be better
Presbyopia‑focused strategies might be preferable.
- Strong desire for reduced spectacle use at both distance and near
- Established presbyopia with emerging lens ageing
- Suitability for multifocal or EDOF lens replacement procedures
- Willingness to trade some optical phenomena for broader range of focus
- Shared decision after comparing ICL with lens‑based presbyopia solutions
