PRESBYOND Laser Blended Vision: personalised laser vision correction for near, intermediate and distance vision.
Free info kit
Medically reviewed by Dr Susanne Öner
As we age, the natural lens of the eye gradually loses flexibility. It becomes less able to change focus for close work. This normal age-related change is known as presbyopia and usually becomes noticeable during the forties or early fifties.
PRESBYOND is not lens surgery. It is a corneal laser procedure that combines a personalised aspheric treatment profile with carefully planned micro-monovision:
Treatment planning takes account of the starting prescription, the functional age of the eye, pupil size, preoperative wavefront data and the difference between the eyes that the individual patient can comfortably tolerate. ZEISS therefore describes PRESBYOND as an advanced binocular vision concept rather than simple conventional monovision. Official ZEISS information about PRESBYOND.
Reshaping the cornea can extend the functional range of vision, but it cannot make the natural lens flexible again. The lens continues to age and may later develop cataract. Even after a successful procedure, glasses may still be useful or necessary for very small print, dim lighting or specific visual tasks.
The surgical technique is based on FemtoLASIK. A femtosecond laser creates a thin corneal flap. The ZEISS MEL 90 excimer laser then reshapes the cornea according to the individually calculated PRESBYOND profile. Finally, the flap is returned to its original position.
The examination includes the prescription, corneal thickness, corneal topography and tomography, pupil size, tear film, intraocular pressure, retina and natural lens. Eye dominance, near-vision requirements and tolerance of the intended micro-monovision are also assessed.
The target refraction is not chosen from a fixed template. Planning considers age, starting prescription, visual habits, professional demands, pupil size, wavefront data and the amount of difference between the eyes that feels comfortable. A realistic balance between near vision and the quality of distance and low-light vision is particularly important.
The eye is numbed with anaesthetic drops. Creation of the flap and the excimer-laser treatment each take only a short time, although the complete appointment is longer because of preparation and the surgical steps. Pressure or a sensation of touch may be noticed, but patients usually do not experience surgical pain.
Visual acuity often improves quickly, but the way the distance and near eyes work together may take time to feel natural. During this adaptation period, vision can fluctuate and some patients notice dry eyes, halos or temporarily unfamiliar visual perception. Eye drops and follow-up appointments should be used exactly as advised.
Suitability cannot be decided from age or prescription alone. It depends on the combined findings for eye health, corneal parameters, the condition of the natural lens, binocular function and the patient’s own visual priorities.
When considering a procedure for presbyopia, assessing only the cornea and prescription is not enough. The condition of the natural lens is equally important. If clinically significant lens opacity is already present, corneal laser treatment may not be the most appropriate option and a lens-based procedure may make more medical sense.
The recommendations of the German Commission for Refractive Surgery list FemtoLASIK or LASIK as possible monovision treatments when presbyopia is present. They also emphasise careful patient selection and the general contraindications that apply to corneal refractive surgery. German Commission for Refractive Surgery recommendations, May 2024.
In carefully selected patients, PRESBYOND may improve functional vision at near, intermediate and distance and reduce reliance on reading or varifocal glasses. The outcome is influenced by the starting prescription, corneal shape and thickness, ocular surface, natural lens, personal visual requirements, healing response and neurovisual adaptation.
| Feature | PRESBYOND Laser Blended Vision | Conventional monovision | Refractive lens exchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic principle | Aspheric corneal treatment combined with individually adjusted micro-monovision | One eye mainly for distance and the other mainly for near | The natural lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens |
| Natural lens | remains in place | remains in place | is removed |
| Intermediate vision | planned binocular overlap zone | may be limited depending on the targets selected | depends on the lens technology used |
| Invasiveness | corneal procedure involving a FemtoLASIK flap | corneal procedure or contact-lens simulation, depending on the approach | intraocular surgery |
| Future lens ageing | continues | continues | cataract of the natural lens can no longer develop |
Earlier clinical reports also describe useful functional outcomes in myopic, hyperopic and emmetropic patients with presbyopia. Most of the available publications are observational studies from specialist centres, however, so their results should not be interpreted as a guarantee for an individual patient. See the three-year data on Laser Blended Vision and clinical outcomes of non-linear aspheric micro-monovision.
PRESBYOND is a surgical procedure and is not risk-free.
Possible effects include dry eyes, fluctuating vision, halos, glare sensitivity, reduced contrast perception, temporarily unfamiliar depth perception, undercorrection or overcorrection, regression and the need for an enhancement procedure. Rare FemtoLASIK-specific complications may include flap folds, epithelial ingrowth, inflammation, infection or corneal ectasia.
Neurovisual adaptation varies from one person to another. Not every patient tolerates the intended difference between the eyes equally well. Complete freedom from glasses or a particular visual result cannot be guaranteed.
Detailed information about laser eye surgery risks, side effects and complications
The current procedure price at LASIKWELT is €1,750 per eye. Before treatment, we explain clearly which diagnostic, surgical and follow-up services are included.
Financing may be available depending on the term, amount financed, credit assessment and the finance provider’s conditions. Information about laser eye surgery financing.
LASIKWELT Laser Eye Centre
Herzogstraße 32
50667 Cologne
Telephone: 0221 2725 3333
The aim is to reduce dependence on glasses substantially. Reading glasses may still be helpful or necessary for very small print, difficult lighting conditions or specialised visual tasks.
The laser-induced change in corneal shape is intended to be permanent. The natural lens and other structures of the eye continue to age, however. Near-vision requirements, prescription and visual quality may therefore change over time, and cataract can still develop.
You should drive only when your vision is adequate and the treating ophthalmologist has confirmed this at a follow-up examination. The timing depends on individual healing and neurovisual adaptation.
There is no universal answer. PRESBYOND preserves the natural lens and does not involve intraocular surgery. If clinically relevant lens opacity is already present, or in certain other situations, a lens-based procedure may be more appropriate. The decision requires assessment of the cornea, lens, retina and individual visual goals.
Yes. Enhancement treatment may be considered if residual refractive error, regression or an unsatisfactory balance between the distance and near eyes remains. It is only possible when the medical requirements for further treatment are met.
Specialist in ophthalmology · Medically reviewed and last updated on 21 September 2026.
Deutsch
