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Lens surgery

Presbyopia surgery in Korea: see near, mid and far again

Reading glasses at 45? Presbyopia is a loss of lens flexibility, not a laser problem. Lens implants address it directly.

Message the clinic Read the FAQ
Illustration of near, intermediate and far vision ranges

Does this sound like you?

  • You are in your 40s or 50s and need reading glasses for your phone.
  • You had laser surgery years ago and now struggle with near vision.
  • You want to avoid cataract surgery while your natural lens is still clear.

Why close-up vision fades

Presbyopia is an age-related process caused by loss of elasticity of the lens. The lens becomes stiffer as structural crystallin proteins become misfolded, which limits the eye's ability to adjust focus for reading or other near tasks.

It is not directly related to whether you had vision correction surgery, and it can still occur naturally over time.

Monofocal or multifocal lens

Monofocal lensMultifocal lens
FocusOne distance only: near, intermediate or farNear, intermediate and far
After surgeryReading glasses may still be neededDesigned to see at all three distances
DistancesOne of near, intermediate or farNear about 40 cm (reading), intermediate about 80 cm (computer), far beyond 100 cm

Multifocal lenses work like glasses with bifocal or progressive lenses.

ArtiPlus for young presbyopes

ArtiPlus is an implantable lens developed from the Artiflex lens. It treats presbyopia while preserving the natural lens, without cataract surgery. The clinic has partnered with the Dutch company OPHTEC in joint research, and received awards for performing the highest number of ArtiPlus surgeries worldwide (in 2023 and again later).

Dr. Hyun Chul Cheon was an invited speaker at the OPHTEC Expert Talk at ESCRS 2026.

ArtiPlus implantable lens

Lens options the clinic compares

Your lifestyle, goals and sensitivity to glare and halos decide which lens is proposed.

  • Alcon Clareon PanOptix Pro: the clinic reports a 93% light utilization rate.
  • Hanita Intensity: a multifocal lens with Dynamic Light Utilization, certified as an Intensity Global Center.
  • ZEISS LUCIA: a monofocal option.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between monofocal and multifocal lenses?
A monofocal lens focuses at one distance, near, intermediate or far, and you may still need reading glasses. A multifocal lens helps you see at near (about 40 cm), intermediate (about 80 cm) and far (beyond 100 cm) distances.
Does vision correction surgery cause presbyopia?
No. Presbyopia is not directly related to whether vision correction surgery has been performed. It may still occur naturally over time.
Can presbyopia be treated without cataract surgery?
The clinic offers ArtiPlus, a lens implant for young presbyopes that preserves the natural lens, so cataract surgery is not required.
Which vision correction procedure is right for me?
Vision correction procedures include LASEK, LASIK, SMILE, and Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) surgery. Each option differs based on how the cornea is treated. The best procedure is determined after a comprehensive eye examination, which evaluates factors such as corneal thickness, the amount of tissue that can be safely removed, corneal endothelial cell health, eye anatomy, astigmatism, and overall ocular condition. Your lifestyle and visual needs are also carefully considered before recommending the most appropriate treatment.

Keep reading

Cataract surgery in Korea with premium lens choicesICL surgery in Korea: a lens implant for thin corneas and high myopiaOur ophthalmologists in Gangnam, SeoulLocation, opening hours and contact in Gangnam, Seoul